| Skyhawk golfer captures medalist honors for first collegiate win |
|
Posted: Friday, October 17, 2008 11:52 am
|
Jonathan Martin
|
|
|
BUCHANAN, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Jonathan Martin fired a 2-under-par 70 to capture the first win of his collegiate career at the Skyhawk Invitational. Martin finished the Skyhawk Classic at 6-under-par 210, one stroke ahead of two Central Arkansas Bears. As a team the Skyhawks fell to ninth on the leader board at 27-over-par 864, while the UT Martin Orange squad improved four spots to 10th at 28-over-par 892.
The 2008 Skyhawk Classic was a 54-hole stroke play tournament conducted by the University of Tennessee at Martin and was hosted at Paris Landing Golf Course in Buchanan. Paris Landing Golf Course is part of the Tennessee Golf Trail and is one of the signature courses of the Tennessee State Park system. The 90-player field is made up of 16 teams from 15 different universities and 10 participants competing as individuals. The par 72 Paris Landing Golf Course is playing at 6,685 yards.
Martin’s round was aided by five birdies, including a string of four over a five-hole span. After starting the day on No. 12, Martin picked up his first birdie of the day on the 495-yard, par-5 No. 16. He gave it back on the par-3 No. 17, but then recorded back-to-back birdies on Nos. 18 and 1. After a par on No. 2, Martin jumped back on the birdie train at No. 3 then knocked his tee shot to within 15 feet on Paris Landing’s signature hole, the 180-yard, par-3 No. 4 that overlooks Kentucky Lake. Martin drained the putt, moving his score to 4-under-par on the day. He gave two strokes back with a pair of bogeys down the stretch, but was still able to hold on for the one stroke win.
“I was able to stay calm all day today and that helped me stick to the game plan and put together a pretty good day,” said Martin of his win. “I hit 16 greens which really helped me play well and I was able to hit the putts I needed. Winning this tournament means a whole lot and I am incredibly happy.”
The UT Martin team was led by Bradley Stevens and Sam Hinson, who both finished in a tie for 22nd at 3-over-par 219. Hinson carded his third consecutive round of 1-over-par 73, while Stevens carded an even-par 72 in the final round. Cole Floyd slipped to 36th place after a final round 4-over-par 76 to end the Skyhawk Classic at 6-over-par 222. Matt Stephens ended the tournament at 8-over-par 224, while Brent Webb carded a 14-over-par 230.
The Orange squad was led by Martin’s winning performance followed by freshman Adam Clark at 6-over-par 222. Jake Joyner carded a 12-over-par 228, while Christopher Schwartz ended at 8-over-par 224 and Bailey Childress came in at 10-over-par 238.
Playing as an individual, Barton Hamilton carded a final round 6-over-par 78 to finish at 22-over-par 238 in the tournament.
Central Arkansas captured the team title with and 8-under-par 864 showing, followed by Murray State at 2-under-par 862. Jackson State claimed third at 6-over-par 870, while Tennessee Tech and Lipscomb both recorded 15-over-par 879s to round out the top five.
Behind Martin in the individual competition were Gideon Pienaar and Jad Sinclair, both of Central Arkansas, at 5-under-par 211. Neal Millay of Evansville claimed fourth with a tournament total of 4-under-par 212 and Steven Lecuyer of Central Arkansas rounded out the top five at 3-under-par 213.
The Skyhawk golf team will return to the links next week when they compete in the Austin Peay Intercollegiate at the Kenny Perry designed Links at Novadale golf course in Hopkinsville, Ky. |
|
Printer-friendly format
|
|
