NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Commodores had a solid first day of play at the DICK’s Sporting Goods Challenge Cup at the Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs, a tournament that fields five of the best teams from two of the top conferences in men’s college golf. Vanderbilt is in a tie for third place on the team leader board with Clemson after shooting a three-under par, 565 (280-285), while junior Hunter Stewart is in second in the individual standings with a six-under par, 136 (65-71).
Vanderbilt trails team leader Texas A&M by eight strokes and second-place Georgia by seven strokes heading into the third round on Saturday, while Stewart is behind individual leader Ben Crancer of Texas A&M by five strokes. Crancer shot a second-round 63 at the Golf Club Friday.
Teams played 36 holes at the Golf Club of Tennessee on Friday, with the Commodores shooting a four-under par round in the morning, and a one-over par round in the afternoon. Stewart tied a career low with a first-round 65, and then followed it up in the second round with an even-par, 71. Freshman Matthias Schwab is also having an exceptional tournament so far and is in a tie for ninth on the individual leader board with a two-under par, 140.
“In the first round, obviously Hunter Stewart had a great round and it meant a lot for our team,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “For him to shoot 65, eagle out on seven, birdie nine, his last hole, which was a good finish, was a good lift for us. I thought as a team, all day long, we hung in there and competed. All five guys competed from the start on every shot, and that’s what we want to be about. Matthias was really solid all day long, as we were as a group. We’re excited about the opportunity that tomorrow will bring and look forward to it.”
The three other Commodores, Charlie Ewing, Ben Fogler, and Spencer Ciesla, all posted steady rounds and finished in a tie for 21st with a two-round score of 145.
The 10 teams will play another 18 holes of stroke play on Saturday morning, and then will be paired up by conference for match play on Sunday.
T3. Vanderbilt
2. Hunter Stewart – 65-71=136
T9. Matthias Schwab – 71-69=140
T21. Charlie Ewing – 73-72=145
T21. Ben Fogler – 72-73=145
T21. Spencer Ciesla – 72-73=145
