University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: American Athletic Conference
Men's golfer captures Mississippi Amateur
Jun 29, 2020 | Men's Golf
Jackson's 4-shot victory earns him a spot in PGA Tour event
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Isaiah Jackson will enter his final season as a member of the University of Memphis golf team with momentum.
Jackson, from Golden, Mississippi, captured the 2020 Mississippi Amateur Sunday at Annadale Golf Club in Madison by firing a 3-under 69 to finish at 10-under 278. By virtue of his title, Jackson, a PING All-American at Memphis last season, earns a spot in the PGA Tour's Sanderson Farms Championship, which will be held at the Country Club of Jackson in October.
Jackson's strong final round, which featured four birdies and a bogey, allowed him to enjoy a four-shot victory over runners up Wilson Furr of Jackson and Joseph Deraney of Belden.
Jackson held a two-shot lead going into the final round of the four-day event. He had rounds of 69-70-70-69 for his 278.
"It's a special thing to win your state amateur and to earn another PGA Tour exemption," said UofM coach Blake Smart.
Jackson said he was "glad I could get the win for everyone at the UofM" in addition to family, friends and "everyone who has supported me" through the years.
"I would be lying if I said I didn't play good, but I still felt like I left a lot out there," Jackson said. "I just didn't make many mistakes, I stuck to my game plan and just tried to execute the best I could."
The good news for Memphis golf is Jackson, along with Nick Giles, will be among senior spring sports athletes taking advantage of the opportunity to return for another season after having their spring semester abbreviated by the coronavirus.
Jackson's return bolsters the men's team. His PING All-America Team selection in April gave the UofM its first All-America selection since Lars van Meijel in 2016.
Jackson was one of 30 golfers chosen honorable mention. He also was one of only three American Athletic Conference golfers selected to either the first-, second- or third teams or honorable mention. SMU placed two golfers – Noah Goodwin and Mac Meissner – on the second team.
The All-America recognition followed Jackson being named to the 2020 PING All-Region Southeast team, also in April.
During the season, his second at the UofM, Jackson posted a school-record setting stroke average (70.0) and had seven Top 20 finishes in as many events.
Giles, who attended St. Benedict at Auburndale, finished the season on an upbeat note. He posted a 10th-place finish at The Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate in Aiken, S.C. He shot 71-70-71 for 2-over 212, the best three-round total of his career. His effort helped the Tigers post their second-straight fourth-place finish of the spring.
"I'm so pleased to get these two back for another season," Smart said. "Isaiah coming back is massive (being) one of the best players in program history. And Nick brings so much experience and is the ultimate team guy."
Jackson, from Golden, Mississippi, captured the 2020 Mississippi Amateur Sunday at Annadale Golf Club in Madison by firing a 3-under 69 to finish at 10-under 278. By virtue of his title, Jackson, a PING All-American at Memphis last season, earns a spot in the PGA Tour's Sanderson Farms Championship, which will be held at the Country Club of Jackson in October.
Jackson's strong final round, which featured four birdies and a bogey, allowed him to enjoy a four-shot victory over runners up Wilson Furr of Jackson and Joseph Deraney of Belden.
Jackson held a two-shot lead going into the final round of the four-day event. He had rounds of 69-70-70-69 for his 278.
"It's a special thing to win your state amateur and to earn another PGA Tour exemption," said UofM coach Blake Smart.
Jackson said he was "glad I could get the win for everyone at the UofM" in addition to family, friends and "everyone who has supported me" through the years.
"I would be lying if I said I didn't play good, but I still felt like I left a lot out there," Jackson said. "I just didn't make many mistakes, I stuck to my game plan and just tried to execute the best I could."
The good news for Memphis golf is Jackson, along with Nick Giles, will be among senior spring sports athletes taking advantage of the opportunity to return for another season after having their spring semester abbreviated by the coronavirus.
Jackson's return bolsters the men's team. His PING All-America Team selection in April gave the UofM its first All-America selection since Lars van Meijel in 2016.
Jackson was one of 30 golfers chosen honorable mention. He also was one of only three American Athletic Conference golfers selected to either the first-, second- or third teams or honorable mention. SMU placed two golfers – Noah Goodwin and Mac Meissner – on the second team.
The All-America recognition followed Jackson being named to the 2020 PING All-Region Southeast team, also in April.
During the season, his second at the UofM, Jackson posted a school-record setting stroke average (70.0) and had seven Top 20 finishes in as many events.
Giles, who attended St. Benedict at Auburndale, finished the season on an upbeat note. He posted a 10th-place finish at The Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate in Aiken, S.C. He shot 71-70-71 for 2-over 212, the best three-round total of his career. His effort helped the Tigers post their second-straight fourth-place finish of the spring.
"I'm so pleased to get these two back for another season," Smart said. "Isaiah coming back is massive (being) one of the best players in program history. And Nick brings so much experience and is the ultimate team guy."
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