Runner-up finish for Giles helps Tech men place third at WKU's Kenny Perry Invitational
Freshman Matthew Giles came within one stroke of winning medalist honors, settling for a tie for second place in leading the Tennessee Tech men’s golf team to a third place finish among 12 teams at the 54-hole, Kenny Perry Invitational hosted by Western Kentucky University at The Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green.
By Rob Schabert, Assistant A.D. for Sports Information
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Freshman Matthew Giles came within one stroke of winning medalist honors, settling for a tie for second place in leading the Tennessee Tech men's golf team to a third place finish among 12 teams at the 54-hole, Kenny Perry Invitational hosted by Western Kentucky University at The Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green.
Giles put together rounds of 71 and 70 on Monday with a final round 76 Tuesday to finish at 217, just one shot off the winning pace of medalist Thomas Perrot of Memphis. Giles tied with Florida Atlantic's Derron Peyton for second place, capturing his first career All-Tournament honor.
Arkansas State had a solid final round two sweep past Tech and Memphis and win the championship by three strokes. ASU finished with 292-298-32 for an 892 total, edging Memphis with a 296-287-312—895.
The Golden Eagles were in excellent position after fashioning rounds of 296 and 291 on Monday to put them in second place, but slipped slightly with a 311 Tuesday to finish third at 898, just six strokes behind the leader. The Golden Eagles were the top finisher among the five Ohio Valley Conference schools in the field.
Host Western Kentucky (901) was fourth, followed by Marshall (905) in fifth place. The remainder of the standings showed OVC rival Jacksonville State (910) in sixth, followed by Samford (911), Eastern Kentucky (912), Florida Atlantic (916), Morehead State (921), Austin Peay (933) and IPFW (935).
Senior Mitchell Thomas was among the most consistent players in the tournament, carding rounds of 73, 74 and 74 to place in a tie for ninth at 221. Redshirt freshman Ben Huskey had a great day Monday and was poised for a run at medalist honors with scores of 74 and 71, but an 84 Tuesday bumped him to a tie for 25th overall at 229.
Sophomore A.J. Wilkerson was 34th at 78-76-78—232, while senior Adam Cunningham rounded out Tech's lineup, placing 55th at 80-77-83—240.
Next week, Tech will venture to Kennesaw, Ga., to compete Monday and Tuesday in the Pinetree Intercollegiate.
Photo by Dave Winder, Murray State Sports Information
