Golden Eagles finish fourth at 2020-21 OVC Championships
MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team concluded its 2020-21 campaign Tuesday afternoon, polishing off the final round of the Ohio Valley Conference Championships with a top-five finish at the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals.
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team concluded its 2020-21 campaign Tuesday afternoon, polishing off the final round of the Ohio Valley Conference Championships with a top-five finish at the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals.
The Golden Eagles placed fourth among the 11 league teams, the program's highest finish in the OVC's postseason event since tying for second in 2015. The purple and gold produced a 293 for the second-straight day, totaling 871 just two shots back of SIUE.
UT Martin claimed the league title with an 861, edging out Belmont by a pair of strokes for its second-ever championship. The Skyhawks' Jack Story and the Bruins' Evan Davis shared individual medalist honors, each firing a 204.
For Tech, it was All-OVC Team and OVC All-Newcomer Team honoree Mark McDearman finishing at the top of the team's leaderboard in a tie for sixth among the field of 55. The freshman carded a team-low, 2-under 70 to finish with a 216 in his first go around the league's tournament.
He produced the lowest total by a Tech rookie since Charles Seals in 2017. The Lebanon, Tenn. native racked up six birdies on the day, including three over the final five holes.
Just a shot back of McDearman was senior Will Brooks, tying for eighth with a 217. The Cookeville native turned in a 1-over 73 with three birdies after back-to-back 72s to open the tournament.
Fellow senior Bracton Womack was next among the Golden Eagle participants, tying for 12th with a 219. The McMinnville native carded a 73 with a pair of birdies following rounds of 72 and 74 on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
Junior Chance Taylor wrapped up his week 25th overall, posting a 77 for the day and a 223 overall. He parred 13 of the 18 holes during the third round. Bryce Beeler rounded out the Tech lineup tied for 34th. The junior capped off the year with a 78 and two birdies for a 228 overall.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | UT Martin | 286-283-292=861 | -3 | |||
| 2. | Belmont | 284-287-292=863 | -1 | |||
| 3. | SIUE | 283-294-292=869 | +5 | |||
| 4. | Tennessee Tech | 285-293-293=871 | +7 | |||
| 5. | Jacksonville State | 293-293-287=873 | +9 | |||
| Leaderboard (55 Golfers) | ||||||
| T-1. | Jack Story (UT Martin) | 68-68-68=204 | -12 | |||
| T-1. | Evan Davis (Belmont) | 69-69-66=204 | -12 | |||
| T-6. | Mark McDearman | 71-75-70=216 | E | |||
| T-8. | Will Brooks | 72-72-73=217 | +1 | |||
| T-12. | Bracton Womack | 72-74-73=219 | +3 | |||
| 25. | Chance Taylor | 74-72-77=223 | +7 | |||
| T-34. | Bryce Beeler | 70-80-78=228 | +12 | |||
Photo by Tyler Brown, Jacksonville State Athletics
