NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three members of the Vanderbilt men’s golf program were named Golf Coaches Association of America All-America Scholars it was announced by the organization on Wednesday, with Matthew Riedel, Gordon Sargent and Cole Sherwood honored. It’s the second time that both Riedel and Sherwood have earned the designation during their Vanderbilt careers.
Riedel was named honorable mention All-America by both the GCAA and Golfweek this season after posting a 70.9 scoring average and 18 rounds below par while helping the Commodores advance to the NCAA Championships for the ninth season in a row. The Houston native placed in the top five individually on four occasions highlighted by earning medalist honors at the SEC Fall Preview on the way to being chosen the SEC Player of the Week. Riedel—who received his undergraduate degree in economics in May—was also a first-team all-region and All-SEC selection in 2022-23.
The Golfweek men’s national Player of the Year, Sargent was a finalist for three other national awards last season while also earning first-team All-America, all-region and All-SEC accolades. The economics major from Birmingham, Alabama, was selected the league’s Player of the Year as well after recording 28 rounds under par on the way to a 68.5 stroke average and three individual victories. Sargent finished in the top 10 in all but one event he participated in last season, and he also competed at The Masters Tournament and U.S. Open including earning low amateur honors at the latter tournament.
Sherwood recorded a 71.0 scoring average, 19 rounds below par and four top-10 results last season to be selected honorable mention All-America and first-team all-region by the GCAA. In addition to a runner-up finish at the season-opening Frederica Cup—where he posted an 18-under-par 198 total—the Austin, Texas, resident shot 12-under par to tie for fourth place individually at the Watersound Invitational. The human & organizational development major was also chosen second-team All-SEC at the end of his junior season.
The trio played a key role in helping Vandy win six tournament titles on the way to earning the top seed at the NCAA Championships in the spring.
This marks the sixth time in the last seven years under head coach Scott Limbaugh that multiple Commodores have been named GCAA All-America Scholars.
To be eligible for GCAA All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically, participate in 50 percent of their team’s competitive rounds and at the NCAA Division I level have a stroke average under 76.0. Individuals are also required to maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2, be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.
