SYLCAUGA, Ala. – The #10-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores’ men’s golf team claimed the inaugural FarmLinks Collegiate Match Play championship on Saturday with a 4-1-1 win over Georgia Tech and then a 3-2-1 win over No. 6-ranked Auburn in the afternoon championship match at the FarmLinks Golf Club in Sylacauga, Ala.
The win marked the Commodores’ second consecutive win after capturing the Schenkel Invitational last weekend in Statesboro, Ga.
Vanderbilt’s win did not come without a fight from the Tigers, with the Commodores once again coming through in the clutch late in their round. Sophomore Theo Humphrey, who was in a back-and-forth affair with Jacob Solomon, birdied 18 to get his match to all-square, and junior Matthias Schwab held on to a 1-up victory after making birdie on 18. Vanderbilt’s other wins came from freshman Will Gordon, who defeated Ben Schlottman, 3&2, and from fellow freshman Patrick Martin, who knocked off Michael Johnson, 6&5, the second-best player in college golf according to Golfstat.com.
Martin, from Birmingham, Ala., had quite the day, knocking off Johnson in convincing fashion and then winning his first match against Georgia Tech’s Tyler Joiner, 5&4. Other victories against the Yellow Jackets came from Humphrey, who defeated James Clark, 3&2, Michael Decker, who knocked off Jacob Joiner, 1 up, and Gordon, who beat Vince Whaley, 4&3.
“First of all, FarmLinks did an unbelievable job hosting this event,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “We are so thankful to them for all that they did and the support that our team had today. It was really cool.
“I think for us it was an opportunity to get some experience in match play and continue to embrace our journey. Guys were patient this morning and I was proud of how they battled. This afternoon, I thought we played very well against a really good team. It was a great match and we were fortunate to make enough good shots coming down the stretch to win.”
The win Saturday was the Commodores’ third of the season, and Vanderbilt will look for their third consecutive win this upcoming weekend at the Vanderbilt Legends Club for the Mason Rudolph Championship on the South Course.
“I know that we are excited to continue to grow and get better as a group,” said Limbaugh. “We are also looking forward to hosting the Mason Rudolph next weekend and playing in front of our fans.”
Vanderbilt 4-1-1 over Georgia Tech
Theo Humphrey (Vandy) BEATS J Clark (GA Tech) 3&2
Zack Jaworski (Vandy) VS M Hines (GA Tech) A/S thru 18(F)
C Petefish (GA Tech) BEATS Matthias Schwab (Vandy) 2UP
Michael Decker (Vandy) BEATS J Joiner (GA Tech) 1UP
Patrick Martin (Vandy) BEATS T Joiner (GA Tech) 5&4
Will Gordon (Vandy) BEATS V Whaley (GA Tech) 4&3
Vanderbilt 3-2-1 over Auburn
Theo Humphrey (Vandy) VS J Solomon (Auburn) A/S thru 18(F)
M Gilchrest (Auburn) BEATS Zack Jaworski (Vandy) 3&2
P Martin (Vandy) BEATS Michael Johnson (Auburn) 6&5
Matthias Schwab (Vandy) BEATS J Mondy (Auburn) 1UP
Will Gordon (Vandy) BEATS B Schlottman (Auburn) 3&2
W Long (Auburn) BEATS Michael Decker (Vandy) 4&3
