NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It’s the week Vanderbilt has been looking forward to all season.
Wednesday marks the opening round of the 2021 SEC Championships on the Seaside Course at the Sea Island Golf Club where the Commodores will join the 13 other league members in hopes of coming home with a conference title.
“I think this is the best week of the year,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “We are so fortunate to be able to play our SEC Championships on such an awesome golf course and in such a great location as Sea Island.
“We are so thankful for all the SEC has done for us this season to show us how much they care about the well-being of our student-athletes as well as allowing us to compete all year.”
Limbaugh brings a talented and steady group to the event as his team as finished second, third, fourth and fourth, respectively, in the four events leading up to this week. Vanderbilt, which is scheduled to play a practice round at 8:45 a.m. CT Tuesday and tee off at 6:50 a.m. CT Wednesday, also won the Vanderbilt Legends Collegiate in October.
William Moll, Matthew Riedel, Reid Davenport, Harrison Ott and Cole Sherwood will be looking to play their best golf of the year against a competitive field on a challenging course. Michael Shears will make the trip as a possible substitute.
“I think our team has played with consistency throughout the year and that should help give us some confidence heading into championship season,” Limbaugh said. “We have a bunch of guys that love to compete and they care about Vanderbilt golf and what it stands for.
“Courage is contagious this time of year and the things that help you be courageous are being fully present, having great routines, giving it your best and controlling the things you can control. If we can all commit to doing these things at high level, we will be right where we want to be.”
After the first three rounds of stroke play Monday-Wednesday, the top eight teams in the standings will be seeded 1-8 and advance to match play starting Saturday. Sunday’s final rounds will be televised live by SEC Network.
The Seaside Course is the blending of Colt & Allison’s original nine-hole Seaside and Joe Lee’s Marshside nine into one seamless, contemporary 18-hole golf course. Tidal creeks, dunes, salt marshes and the St. Simons Sound frame the course which plays fast, firm and fun in the tradition of legendary Scottish links.
The course will play a par-70 at 7,005 yards.
“This week is one of the most exciting opportunities we get to play in at Vanderbilt – one where we get to make an impression on the history of the school, the conference, and our fans,” Limbaugh said. “That is always exciting for us.”
Vanderbilt last won the event in 2017.
Dores Ranked 13th
Vanderbilt goes into the postseason ranked 13th nationally in the latest Golfweek Coaches Poll. Vandy is one of four teams ranked inside the top 15 joining Georgia (11), Texas A&M (12), and Auburn (14).
Oklahoma topped the poll with Florida State in second and Oklahoma State in third.
Schwab Impresses at Home
Former Vanderbilt standout Matthias Schwab turned in an impressive performance on the European Tour last week.
The native Austrian finished tied for seventh with a 7-under-par at the Austrian Open. Schwab shot a 66 in the event’s third round and 69 on his final 18 to wind up seven shots back of first.
Schwab made 16 birdies during the week, including one each round on the par 5 first hole.