BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In a contest that saw the final match go to extra holes, the No. 3-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team fell, 3-2, to Auburn in the championship of the SEC Match Play on Wednesday.
It took a pair of matches that went beyond regulation to determine a winner between the Commodores and Tigers, as both Gordon Sargent and William Moll played more than 18 holes to get a result. Both Vanderbilt golfers ultimately dropped their matches as the Tigers’ Jackson Koivun needed one extra hole to defeat Sargent and tie up the match at 2-2. Moll was outdone by JM Butler on their 20th hole of play to give Auburn the 3-2 win over Vanderbilt.
“The fall is about training, and you can’t replicate feels like we had out there today,” said Vanderbilt men’s golf head coach Scott Limbaugh. “There were a lot of people out watching great golf on a great golf course. Both teams were making big shots and I’m really proud of our team. I thought we showed a lot of competitive character out there today. We got two points, with Gordon and William going to extra holes. You’ve got to tip your hat to Auburn. They made the plays to win in the end.”
All-American Matthew Riedel picked up a 3 & 2 win over Auburn’s Reed Lotter, while senior Cole Sherwood collected a 1-up victory over Brendan Valdes. Junior Jackson Van Paris dropped a 2 & 1 decision to Ryan Eshleman to round out competition in the SEC Match Play championship.
“I’m really proud of Cole on the way he bounced back over the last couple of days,” said Limbaugh. “He beat a really good player today and closed it out by hitting an unbelievable wedge shot. Matthew was great all week and finished his match off early.”
Vanderbilt also ended the event in second place in stroke play. The Commodores carded 28-under 824 to finish second to Auburn in stroke play, which concluded Tuesday. Sargent also finished second on the individual leaderboard in stroke play, as he went 14-under 199.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Dores, as Vanderbilt is set to play in the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational Monday-Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas. Check back with VUCommodores.com for a full tournament preview.
“It’s a quick turnaround and we’re going to a course we haven’t played before,” expressed Limbaugh. “It’s a great field and I think it will be good for us to get right back out there after it. Sometimes the best thing after moments like today is to hop right back in the saddle. I’m looking forward to getting back after it.”
Augenstein Readies for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship
Former Vanderbilt All-American John Augenstein will begin his run at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship next week. The Korn Ferry Tour Championship will take place Oct. 5-8 at the Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Indiana.
For more information on the Vanderbilt men’s golf team, follow @VandyMGolf on Instagram and Twitter.
