Commodores have eight-shot lead at Tavistock

WINDERMERE, Fla. – The 13th-ranked Commodore men’s golf team raced off to a fast start at the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational and hold the team lead with a 12-under par, 276 total after round one in Windermere, Fla.  Commodore senior Will Gordon is the overall individual leader after the first day of play after he carded an eight-under par, 64 on the par-72, 7,544-yard Isleworth Golf and Country Club.  Two other Commodores, senior Patrick Martin and junior John Augenstein, are in the top seven on the individual leader board after Martin shot a four-under 68, which is good for a tie for fifth, and Augenstein fired a three-under 69 on Sunday, which ties him for seventh.

The Commodores paced the field, which features six teams ranked in the Golf Coaches Association of America top 25, in par-three scoring (2.85), par-five scoring (4.60), and birdies (20) in route to an eight-shot first-round lead over Auburn and California, who are both tied for second with a four-under, 284.

“It was a really good day and fun to see the team play a good round,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh.  “I thought the way we finished was very important to keep momentum. Obviously, Will played an awesome round of golf that was huge for us. I really thought our guys did a good job staying patient early in the round and had some key up and downs. Patrick and John were really good today as well and both competed really well.”

Gordon posted nine birdies in his round on Sunday and holds a two-shot lead on Max Sear of West Virginia.

“Today was a good start, but we know our actions determine our outcomes so we have to continue to play with patience and passion, and enjoy our climb,” said Limbaugh.  “We also need all five guys in there competing and playing Vandy golf.”

Vanderbilt will play with Arizona State and Augusta beginning at 8:40 a.m. CT in their second round Monday.

1. Vanderbilt 276
1. Will Gordon – 64
T5. Patrick Martin – 68
T7. John Augenstein – 69
T49. Harrison Ott – 75
T67. Mason Greenberg – 79