KINGSTON SPRINGS, Tenn. – The Commodore men’s golf team charged from behind and captured the team stroke-play portion of the DICK’s Collegiate Challenge Cup on Saturday after winning a sudden-death playoff against Virginia at the Golf Club of Tennessee. Vanderbilt had the low round of the day with a two-under par, 282.
Vanderbilt trailed the Cavaliers by six shots entering the final 18 holes, but rallied behind 14 birdies and an eagle Saturday to eventually tie Virginia with a final total of 849 (279-288-282). The Commodores then knocked off Virginia on the first sudden-death playoff hole, shooting a combined even par amongst their five starters, while the Cavaliers came in at two-over on the hole.
Freshman Will Gordon had five birdies and an eagle in route to a team-best two-under, 69, on the day. Vanderbilt also counted a one-under, 71, from Spencer Ciesla, an even-par, 71, from junior Matthias Schwab, and a one-over par, 72, from freshman Patrick Martin.
“We talked last night about taking the next step and that it would take all five guys competing the right way to do it,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “The guys embraced that and did it. I am so happy for our team. I thought Will and Spencer were very good today. Will jumpstarted the team and played solid all day, and Spencer played his game and finished very strong for us down the stretch. Matthias and Patrick were steady and have been in every round this year.”
Schwab was the team’s best finisher, ending the tournament with a two-under, 211 (69-71-71) total, which was good for eighth individually. Martin finished in a tie for 13th with a 214 (68-74-72), Ciesla in a tie for 16th with a 215 total (71-74-70), Gordon in a tie for 23rd with a 216 (75-72-69), and Zack Jaworski ended the tournament in a tie for 31st with a score of 219 (71-71-77).
“I think the team was pretty confident in getting it done in the playoff,” said Jaworski. “I’m really proud of the freshmen. They’ve stepped up in some big ways since the season started. Will and Patrick are solid players all around. After Will and I got off to a good start in the playoff with a couple of pars, I felt confident that the rest of the guys were going to get it done.”
Individually, Alabama’s Robby Shelton led wire-to-wire to win the individual championship with a eight-under par, 205.
The Commodores will face Virginia on Sunday in a match play format in the final round of the event. Florida State will take on Georgia, Duke will play Kentucky, Florida will play Georgia Tech, Alabama will play Louisville, and Clemson will take on Tennessee.
“Today was a great step and some valuable experience for our team with the playoff and the different pressures involved in that,” said Limbaugh. “We have another important day tomorrow as we get to represent our conference in match play against a really good team.”
T-1. Vanderbilt – 279-288-282=849
8. Matthias Schwab – 69-71-71=211
T13. Patrick Martin – 68-74-72=214
T16. Spencer Ciesla – 71-74-70=215
T23. Will Gordon – 75-72-69=216
T31. Zack Jaworski – 71-71-77=219
