The 2020-21 UTM golf season got off to a rousing start as the Skyhawks were crowned co-champions of the Gulf Coast Collegiate today.
Steady rainfall moved through the area today as the third and final round could not be completed. All scores were reverted back to the 36-hole totals, which meant UTM and Southeastern Louisiana shared the team title with a final score of 589 (+13).
Today’s result marks the first victory in the young head coaching career of Austin Swafford, who was making his debut as the program’s lead man after spending the last three seasons as an assistant.
“Overall, I’m ecstatic for the team and the program,” Swafford said. “We have a few areas to improve on but I’m proud of the team’s effort and focus level this week. We are grateful to get a win against a good, solid field.”
UTM and Southeastern Louisiana ended atop the 12-team field which included Morehead State (+20), New Orleans (+21), Central Arkansas (+24), Samford (+32), Stephen F. Austin (+34), Omaha (+39), Prairie View A&M (+40), Murray State (+51), Western Illinois (+56) and Nicholls (+60).
Tate Chumley finished third in the field of 67 golfers with his 143 (-1). That equaled the best finish in his career, as the junior out of Murfreesboro, Tenn. also placed third at the SIUE Derek Dolenc Invitational on Sept. 24-25, 2018.
“Tate was outstanding this week,” Swafford said. “He led the field in pars made and that’s what was needed this week in the conditions. It’s great to see him finish near the top of the leaderboard.”
Nick Wolf (149, +5) wrapped up his tournament in 11th place with Ross Redmont (150, +6) and Jack Story (150, +6) following closely behind in 15th. Mason Chandler came away with a final tally of 157 (+13) to round out the Skyhawks’ scoring lineup.
Competing as an individual, sophomore Luke Smith’s 153 (+9) was good enough for 26th place – which is the best finish in his UTM career.
The Skyhawks will step away from official competition next weekend before returning to action on March 15-16 at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate, hosted by Tennessee Tech at Sevierville Golf Club in Sevierville, Tennessee.
