NAPLES, Fla. – Vanderbilt claimed the team championship at the Talis Park Challenge with a team score of 871 (283-289-299) and Commodore sophomore Carson Jacobs tied for medalist honors after firing a one-under par, 215 (70-73-72) for the 54-hole event on Monday at the Talis Park Golf Club. The team title is Vanderbilt’s second of the 2013-14 season, the individual title is the first of Jacobs’ career and the Commodores’ second of the year.
The Commodores overcame some demanding conditions at the Talis Park Golf Club on Monday, with winds gusting to as high as 40 miles per hour. Vanderbilt placed four players in the top 11 at the tournament, with Jacobs finishing in a tie for first, Hunter Stewart rallying to finish in sixth after a final-round 69, Charlie Ewing tying for ninth, and Jordan Janico ending the tournament in a tie for 11th. Zack Jaworski, Vanderbilt’s fifth player, finished in 19th place overall.
“It was very difficult out there today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh, who won his fifth team title Monday as head coach of the Commodores. “You really had to be patient because the golf course did not give you much due to the hole locations and wind. I am proud of Hunter and Carson and how they handled the day. It was a good win for our guys as we continue to make this climb together.”
The Commodores won the team title by 19 strokes over Wichita State and 30 strokes over third-place Austin Peay. Jacobs tied with Marco Iten of Austin Peay for medalist honors.
“Going forward we need to learn and grow from today,” said Limbaugh. “We weren’t able to be as resilient of a team as we wanted to be today, but overall, it was a really good team win.”
Vanderbilt returns to the course April 4-6 at their own Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends Club.
1. Vanderbilt – 283-289-299=871
T1. Carson Jacobs – 70-73-72=215
6. Hunter Stewart – 77-73-69=219
T9. Charlie Ewing – 71-70-80=221
T11. Jordan Janico – 68-76-78=222
19. Zack Jaworski – 74-73-80=227
