September 13, 2011

Golden Eagles ninth at Wasioto Winds to open fall schedule

Sophomore Greg Kitts earned a Top 20 individual finish to lead the Tennessee Tech men's golf team Tuesday in a ninth place finish at the Wasioto Winds Classic to begin the fall schedule under first-year coach Polk Brown.

PINEVILLE, Ky. -- Sophomore Greg Kitts closed with a two-under-par 70 on Tuesday, and earned a Top 20 finish individually while leading the Tennessee Tech men's golf team to a final ninth place showing at the Wasioto Winds Fall Kick-Off Classic to get the fall schedule underway.

OVC rival UT Martin put together a strong challenge on the final day, but came up just short as Northern Kentucky held on to win the team title with an 857 total for the 54-hole event. UT Martin, with a 286 in the final round, jumped to second place at 861. Southern Illinois (863) was third, followed by Eastern Illinois (867) and Bellarmine (870) to cap off the first five place.

Host Morehead State led off the second five with an 873, followed by University of the Cumberlands (884), John A. Logan College (887), Tennessee Tech (889), and Murray State (893). Walters State (895) and Trevecca Nazarene (921) completed the 12-team, 75-player field.

David Lawrence of Eastern Illinois captured medalist honors with a 208 total, edging out Bellarmine's Bryan Ratterman by one stroke.

Kitts and true freshman Taylor Diegel managed to score under par Tuesday to pace first-year coach Polk Brown's team. After opening with rounds of 75 and 74 on Monday, Kitts added his 70 Tuesday to finish with a 219 total and tie for 19th place. Diegel showed steady improvement in his first collegiate match, scoring 77 and 74 on Monday, followed by a 71 Tuesday for a 222 to tie for 30th place.

Lee Maxwell shruged off a slow start after an 80 to begin Monday's play and finished with rounds of 72 and 74 to finish tied for 42nd place at 226. Mason Griffin, Tech's first-day leader, slipped to an 81 Tuesday for a 229 total, leaving him in a tie for 54th place. Travis Ramsey, a late addition to the lineup to replace Tyler Cassetty (illness), carded a final 80 to finish with a 236 total and 69th place.

Tech gets two weekends off, then returns to action at the Murray State Invitational, Oct. 3-4.