March 12, 2012

Maxwell paces Tech to fifth after first two rounds at Grover Page Classic

With Lee Maxwell setting the pace, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team is in fifth place following two rounds of the Grover Page Classic. Tech is just four shots out of second place heading into Tuesday's final round.

JACKSON, Tenn. -- With junior Lee Maxwell tied for 10th place individually, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team had a solid showing Monday through the first two rounds of the Grover Page Classic at the Jackson Country Club.

The Golden Eagles are in fifth place at 602, just two shots out of third place and four back of second place following the first 36-holes of the 12-team tournament being hosted by UT Martin. The host Skyhawks have built a comfortable lead, shooting a two-round total of 589 to hold a nine-shot edge on second place Southern Illinois (598).

Jackson State and Murray State are tied for third at 600, with Tech two strokes back. Another OVC squad, Morehead State, is next at 610, followed by Lipscomb (613), Nicholls State (617), John A. Logan (619) and Tennessee State (628) to round out the top 10.

The field was met with wet and windy conditions and UTM turned in the only under-par round Monday. The par 72 Jackson Country Club course is playing at a length of 6,783 yards.

After posting a 303 in its first tour of the layout, the Golden Eagles improved to 299 in the second round, one of just five rounds under 300 during the day.

Maxwell shot an opening round 72 and followed with a 75, giving him a 147 total to place him in a tie for 10th place. Greg Kitts is two strokes back, carding rounds of 76 and 73 for a 149 total for 14th place. Just two back is Tyler Cassetty, tied for 16th at 151 after rounds of 77 and 74.

Nicholls State's Tanner Manuel carded the shot of the day at the Grover Page Classic with a hole-in-one on the 188-yard par 3 eleventh hole.

Final round play at thee Grover Page Classic will begin Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony honoring the 2012 champions.