June 15, 2015
Palmer Cup PhotoThe Commodores’ stellar play has continued since the NCAA Championship, with Vanderbilt golf excelling throughout the country over the weekend in a number of high-profile amateur tournaments.
Palmer Cup
Senior Hunter Stewart and sophomore Matthias Schwab participated in the Palmer Cup this weekend at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., in a Ryder Cup-type format that saw the top 10 collegiate players from the United States face off against the top 10 from Europe.
Stewart did not lose a match over the weekend, going 4-0 in helping the United States to an 18-12 victory over the Europeans, becoming the first player since Andrew Yun of the U.S. to win all four matches (2012). Stewart was dominate in his singles matches, defeating Mathias Eggenberger, 6 & 5, on Saturday and then knocked off Thomas Detry of Illinois, 4 & 3 on Sunday. In opening foursomes play, Stewart and partner Robby Shelton of Alabama defeated Clement Sordet and Rowin Caron, 3 & 2, and then in fourball competition, the duo once again defeated Sordet and Rowin, 1 up. Shelton also finished his Palmer Cup at 4-0.
Schwab garnered two of the Europeans’ points over the weekend with a 1-up singles victory on Sunday over Carr Vernon, and paired with Max Rottluff in fourball play to defeat Anders Albertson and Jack Maguire of the U.S., 2 & 1. Schwab battled with Beau Hossler of Texas before losing the 18th hole to fall one down in first-round singles action on Saturday, and lost his opening foursomes match to Kyle Jones and Carr Vernon 3 & 2 on Friday. He was paired with Rottluff in that match as well.
Schwab and Stewart also impressively swept the sportsmanship awards and were named recipients of the Michael Carter Award, which is presented to the Palmer Cup participant that best represents the qualities and ideals of sportsmanship, integrity and upholding of the game.
Palmetto Amateur
Vanderbilt placed two in the top 10 at the prestigious Palmetto Amateur, with rising senior Zack Jaworski and incoming freshman Will Gordon each finishing in a tie for eighth at the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C., after carding a one-over par, 281, in four rounds of action.
Martin Finishes 2nd at Alabama Amateur
Incoming freshman Patrick Martin finished second at the Alabama State Amateur over the weekend after carding an eight-under par, 276 (68-71-69-68) at the Mountain Brook Club In his hometown of Birmingham. Martin finished four shots back of champion Will Cannon and three shots better than Tom Lovelady, who currently plays at the University of Alabama.