Men’s Golf Claims First Crown Under Smart

Tuesday, September 22

Memphis, Tenn.

University of Memphis

Memphis Intercollegiate

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Sep 22, 2015 | Men's Golf

Perrot and van Meijel post top five finishes.

MEMPHIS – The Memphis men's golf team fired a third round 284 to hold off Arkansas State by three strokes at the Memphis Intercollegiate, Tuesday, in final round play at Colonial Country Club. Memphis' third round 284 gave them an 859 (-5) for the tournament, while Arkansas State finished with a 862 (-2). The tournament victory is the first for the Tigers under second year head coach Blake Smart and the first team title for Memphis since the 2013 Shoal Creek Intercollegiate.

"What a fun day. We were going back and forth all day, then were able to finish off the win. I'm excited for the guys, they're worked really hard," Smart said. "It's difficult to win at this level. For them to have that feeling is always a good moment."

Thomas Perrot and Lars van Meijel spent all of the third round in the hunt for individual medalist honors, but finished second and third, respectively, after Lipscomb's Dawson Armstrong birdied 16, 17 and 18 to post a 208 (-8). Perrot carded a 209 (-7), that included a 71 (-1) in the final round. Van Meijel posted a 69, sharing low round honors on Tuesday with Arkansas State's Oswin Schlenkrich, to finish third with a 211 (-5).

Taylor McCullum added a top 15 finish, finishing tied for 15^th with a 219 (76-73-70). Sydney Chung (T31, 222) and Eithel McGowen (T34, 223) rounded out Memphis' team scores. Fellow Tigers JC Campbell (T34, 223), Kevin Lee (T41, 225) and Chase Harris (T63, 232) rounded out Memphis' participants in the event.

Memphis will next compete in the WKU Kenny Perry Invitational in Bowling Green, Oct. 12-13^th.

"We will enjoy this one for a couple of days, then start preparing for our next event," Smart said. "We want to keep this feeling going!".