October 11, 2021

Tech men in striking distance with one round to go at Georgia State Invitational

DULUTH, Ga. – It was a successful first day of action at the Georgia State Invitational for the Tennessee Tech men’s golf team Monday, as the Golden Eagles knocked out the first two rounds of competition at Berkeley Hills Country Club.

By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

DULUTH, Ga. – It was a successful first day of action at the Georgia State Invitational for the Tennessee Tech men's golf team Monday, as the Golden Eagles knocked out the first two rounds of competition at Berkeley Hills Country Club.

Tech fired rounds of 285 and 291 over the first 36 holes of play, tying for fourth place in the 16-team field with host Georgia State and North Alabama with total of 576. Lafayette College led the way with a two-round total of 570, leaving the Golden Eagles room to strike in the final round on Tuesday. Oakland's Thomas Giroux claimed the top spot on the individual leaderboard of 87 golfers after dropping scores of 68 and 66 for a 134.

The top performance of the day for the purple and gold belonged to Bracton Womack, who finished fourth overall with a total score of 140. The senior delivered a 1-under 71 with a trio of birdies and followed it up with a 3-under 69, backed by two more birdies, an eagle, and an impressive 14 pars.

Next among the Tech participants were junior Chance Taylor and returning freshman Mark McDearman, each tying for 25^th in the field. Taylor constructed scores of 72 and 73 for a 145, producing five birdies over his first 18 holes and two more the second time through the course. McDearman carded rounds of 71 and 74, ripping off five birdies in the opening turn through the course and collecting three more the second time.

One stroke back of his teammates with a 146 and tied for 34^th was redshirt freshman Jackson Skeen. The Tech newcomer turned in a trio of birdies in round one for a 1-under 71 and followed it up with three more as part of a 75.

Completing the Tech lineup in a tie for 42^nd, Nick Sutton tied for 42^nd with a total score of 149. The sophomore and two-times Ohio Valley Conference Male Golfer of the Week posted a 74 in the opening round with a birdie and 15 pars. He then notched a pair of birdies as part of a 75 over the next 18 holes.

The third and final round of the Georgia State Invitational will begin with tee times starting at 7:00 a.m. CT.

Top 5 Teams:
1.	Lafayette College	284-286=570	-6
2.	Wright State	285-286=571	-5
3.	Oakland	292-283=575	-1
T-4.	Tennessee Tech	285-291=576	E
T-4.	Georgia State	293-283=576	E
T-4.	North Alabama	294-282=576	E

Leaderboard (87 Golfers)
1.	Thomas Giroux (Oakland)	68-66=134	-10
4.	Bracton Womack	71-69=140	-4
T-25.	Mark McDearman	71-74=145	+1
T-25.	Chance Taylor	72-73=145	+1
T-34.	Jackson Skeen	71-75=146	+2
T-42.	Nick Sutton	74-75=149	+5