NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt, the two-time defending SEC champions, will be playing for a three-peat starting Wednesday when it begins play at the SEC Championships on Saint Simons Island in Georgia.
Vandy won thrilling titles in 2021 and 2022 and will be trying to become the first team to win three straight SEC championships since Alabama (2012-14).
“Championship season has arrived and there isn’t much better than that,” Vandy head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “Playing for an SEC Championship is an amazing opportunity and to be able to do it at a place like Sea Island Golf Club is extra special.”
The Commodores, who also won the team title in 2017, have had an historic season in becoming the first squad to capture six regular-season team championships. They go into the postseason fresh off a 23-stroke victory at the Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends Club.
Vanderbilt has also remained ranked the No. 1 team in the nation for the majority of the 2022-23 season.
“This team has done a great job up to this point playing with a ton of consistency and having different guys step up. I can guarantee that in order to have success in a tournament like this, everyone will have to step up when their number is called,” Limbaugh said. “In my opinion, this time of year is about being together, staying humble and focusing to do the little things at the highest level. The work has already been done and now it’s time to go enjoy the moment and play with purpose.
“Our program has certain values we want to stand for and it’s every player’s responsibility to own those this time of year. I’m excited about this lineup and seeing them embrace finishing this journey the right way, the Vandy golf way!”
Limbaugh and associate head coach Gator Todd bring an experienced lineup into this week’s event in junior Cole Sherwood, seniors William Moll and Matthew Riedel, fifth-year senior Reid Davenport and sophomore Gordon Sargent. Sophomore Jackson Van Paris will also be present to serve as a potential substitute.
Sherwood, Davenport, Moll and Riedel were all part of the lineup that defeated Arkansas in the ’21 championship match while Moll, Davenport, Sherwood and Sargent were all in the lineup for the ’22 victory over Florida.
All 14 SEC programs will begin play Wednesday, the first of three days of 18 holes of stroke play competition on the Seaside Course at the Sea Island Golf Club. The top eight teams after Friday’s third round advance to match play starting with the quarterfinals Saturday morning followed by the semifinals Saturday afternoon and the final Sunday morning.
Sunday’s round will be televised live by SEC Network.
Vandy is scheduled to tee off at 7 a.m. CT Wednesday alongside Auburn and Florida. Live scoring for this week’s event can be found HERE.
