MADISON, Ill. – For the second straight round, the University of Tennessee at Martin produced a score that was amongst the best in the field at the SIUE Dolenc Invitational as the Skyhawks concluded their season-opening event on a high note.
UT Martin matched its Round 2 score (285, +1) during the third and final round as that number marked the fifth-best team tally in the field today. As a direct result, the Skyhawks made the biggest jump in the team standings as they finished 11th with an overall score of 869 (+17).
“We came out slow with too much emphasis on being perfect and trying to force things,” UT Martin head coach Austin Swafford said. “In the second and third rounds, we got back to who we are and played some very solid gold. I’m really proud of the response from our guys after Round 1.”
Luke Caldwell’s 69 (-2) today was the best round of any Skyhawk in the tournament as the junior lefty tapped in four birdies in Round 3. He was followed by an even-par, seven-birdie performance out of Jonathan Xoinis and a 72 from Ethan Ray (15 pars, one birdie). Cole Isbell and Jaden Morrell each accounted for two birdies apiece on the way to identical 73’s to round out the team scoring.
Competing as an individual, Jackson Twerdahl carded a 72 for the third consecutive round to place first amongst the nine individuals in the tournament field. His Round 3 scorecard included a pair of birdies to go along with 14 pars as he finished with a cumulative score of 216 (+3).
On the final player leaderboard, Isbell and Xoinis finished just outside the top-25 with a 214 (+1). They each placed 26th in the field of 99 participants.
Caldwell rode a team-best 12 birdies in the tournament to a final score of 219 (+6) while Morrell and Ray each carded a 225 (+12).
UT Martin returns to the links next week as it hosts the Grover Page Classic in Jackson, Tenn. This year’s event will once again be held at Jackson Country Club and will take place on Monday, Sept. 16 through Tuesday, Sept. 17.
