NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt men’s golf team brought in a haul of honors from the SEC as the league’s all-conference teams were announced Friday.
Gordon Sargent was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year and Scott Limbaugh was honored as SEC Coach of the Year.
The recognition for Limbaugh is the second in a row and fourth in six years. The veteran head coach helped guide the Commodores to five team championships and a second consecutive SEC title this season.
Vandy is ranked No. 3 in the nation and begins play at the Palm Beach Gardens Regional on Monday as the No. 1 seed in that event.
“I’m humbled and honored to be voted by my peers as the coach of year. Anytime you receive an honor like this you think about all the people who made it possible,” Limbaugh said. “I also know this is a coaching staff award and I want to give a lot of credit to Gator Todd because I know this wouldn’t be possible without his commitment to our boys and his daily investment in their lives on and off the course.
“I also want to thank Virginia Green, who does so many things behind the seems that allows me to do what I enjoy doing and that is coaching.”
Sargent has been one of Vanderbilt’s top golfers all season. The Birmingham, Alabama, product is tied for the team lead with a stroke average of 69.9, has four top-five finishes and seven finishes in the top 10.
At the Mossy Oak Collegiate in April, Sargent went 12-under-par with a three-day total of 204. His second-round 64 helped him to win his first collegiate individual title.
Sargent was also named to the league’s All-Freshman team and was a first-team All-SEC selection along with Cole Sherwood. Sherwood has had a remarkable 2021-22 with a stroke average of 69.9, four top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes.
In February, Sherwood went 17-under-par at the Cabo Collegiate for his first individual title as a collegian. At the Mason Rudolph in April the Texan went 17-under-par again to capture yet another individual championship.
Sherwood, twice named the SEC Golfer of the Week this season, set a Vanderbilt 18-hole record with a 61 at the Cabo Collegiate and his three-day total of 196 at that tournament set a Vanderbilt 54-hole record. Sherwood also tied for third during stroke play at the SEC Championships.
A sophomore, Sherwood was named to the SEC’s Community Service Team as he is a member of Vanderbilt’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and helped lead a multitude of student-athlete initiated efforts this academic year.
Lastly, Vandy senior Reid Davenport was a second team All-SEC selection. Davenport this season has thrice finished inside the top three and in the Mason Rudolph in April came in second with a 13-under-par 200.
“I am so proud of our student-athletes being honored by the SEC today for their outstanding play this year,” Limbaugh said. “Gordon has played at a consistently high level the entire year, which is not easy to do as a freshman. Cole has had the best spring in the history of Vanderbilt golf. His play has elevated our team and I couldn’t be happier for him. He embraces being coached and loves the process of improving.
“Reid is so consistent in everything he does, his play this spring has been awesome. His leadership has also been huge for the success our team has had so far. All three of these young guys do things the right way and have done a great job elevating their games when we needed it the most, which says a lot about their character.”
