NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt’s much-anticipated start to the 2021-22 season begins at 9:10 a.m. CT Friday when the Commodores compete in the Carmel Cup.
As a co-host of the event with Texas Tech, Vandy will face seven other teams in a three-day event.
“We are all thrilled to be headed back to Pebble Beach for the Carmel Cup. It’s one of the best weeks of the year and I know we have all learned to be much more grateful for these opportunities,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said.
Vanderbilt, the defending SEC champions and one of the last eight teams standing at the NCAA Tournament in June, returns an experienced group ranked as high as fifth among preseason polls. Harrison Ott, Michael Shears, Matthew Riedel, Cole Sherwood, William Moll and Gordon Sargent will wear the black and gold this weekend in Pebble Beach, California.
Vandy last competed in the event in 2019 when it finished eighth.
“As a team, this first week of school always feels like a quick mini-camp with meetings, move-ins, class, qualifying, etc,” Limbaugh said. “I’ve been very encouraged by how the guys are responding to the type of competition we are going to have at home this year.
“We all know it will make us better if we embrace the personal growth opportunities and opportunities to develop trust with your teammates. This really is a new team in so many ways and we have a responsibility to build from the ground up.”
The 2021 Carmel Cup will be played on the Pebble Beach Links Course, a 6,828-yard layout on the banks of the Pacific Ocean playing at a par 72. The Commodores will be trying to conquer that course as well as the loaded field which includes No. 2 Oklahoma State, No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 9 Texas Tech, No. 14 Georgia, No. 19 Arkansas, Mississippi State and Texas Christian.
After this weekend’s tournament the Commodores will be off until Sept. 20-21 when they head to the eastern side of the state to compete in the Scenic City Challenge in Ooltewah.
“I’m excited to see our guys play this week. We have five opportunities this fall and it’s important we lock in on each one,” Limbaugh said. “It’s exciting to see Harrison playing well after he finished a strong summer and also seeing a guy like Gordon making his Commodore debut this week.
“We are always learning our values as individuals and as a group and I want to see who is ready to protect our Vandy golf values as this new climb begins. Great teams have guys that step up and we are excited to see who is ready to do that this week.”
