Three in Top 20 as WPU Opens Fall in Tennessee
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Memphis, Tenn.–Strong play at the top of the lineup helped the Statesmen men’s golf team begin its 2018-2019 season with a top-half showing at the NAIA Memphis Shootout Monday and Tuesday.
#21 William Penn placed fifth out of 13 teams with a three-round score of 900 (300-305-295) at the par-71 TPC Southwind Golf Course. William Carey, a squad receiving votes nationally, topped the field at 877 (292-289-296), holding off #8 Taylor by six strokes.
In an event that featured six squads ranked or receiving votes, the navy and gold beat two top-25 programs in #24 Lindsey Wilson and #25 Holy Cross.
Alec Dutkowski of Taylor and Tyler Pearson of Indiana-East ran away with co-medalist honors at six-under 207.
Zachary Chegwidden (Jr., Essex, England, Business Management) started a bit slow with a 75 in his first round, but battled back with a par 71 in the middle round and concluded the tourney with a red score of 70. He tied for fifth at three-over 216.
Spencer Tucker (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) showed no signs of nerves in his inaugural collegiate match, carding back-to-back-to-back rounds of 73 to tie for ninth at 219.
After shooting identical 77s on Monday, Oliver Stanway (Jr., Leicester, England, Sports Management) vaulted up the leaderboard in the final 18 holes with a 71. The junior tied for 19th in his first WPU tournament at 225.
Oscar Florez Martinez (So., Gignon, Spain, Business Management) was impressive out of the gate with a 75, but fell off the pace with an 84 and 81 to shoot 240 and tie for 49th. Davis King (Fr., Upminster, England, Sports Management) wrapped up his first-ever college contest at 250 (81-85-84) to end up in 61st.
Kaden Benson (So., Sigourney, Iowa, Business Management) competed as an individual and produced two more-than-respectable rounds (82, 79), but unfortunately also struggled in one showing (99) as he was 67th at 260.
“Zac started the season strong, Spencer had a good first college tournament, and Oliver had a solid final day as they led us at the top,” Head Coach Steve Tucker said. “We are still struggling at the bottom of the lineup, but we know the talent is there. We will continue to work to bring that to the competitions.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Moravia Sunday through Tuesday to compete in the Indian Hills Warrior Challenge. Action will be contested at The Preserve Golf Course.
