By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – Junior Tate Chumley carded an even-par 72 today to lead the University of Tennessee at Martin on Day 1 of the 2021 NCAA Golf Regionals, held at the Sagamore Club.
As a chilly, constant wind shifted course and moderate rain caused the round to be delayed for an hour, Chumley was steady throughout as his three birdies were tied for the team lead. All three of those birdies came during a six-hole stretch on his front-nine as he later pieced together seven consecutive pars on his back-nine. The Murfreesboro, Tenn. native ranks 17th out of 75 golfers in the individual standings, ranking third in the tournament in par-3 scoring (2.75, -1) and also leading the squad in par-4 scoring (4.20, +2) and par-5 scoring (4.75, -1).
The Skyhawks showed absolutely zero signs of nerves, jumping into the top-three of the team standings with a 6-under performance through five holes. The final four holes of UT Martin’s front-nine – labeled as the four toughest holes of the course – caused the Skyhawks to slip in the standings before the team recovered for a solid back-nine performance.
Overall, UT Martin ranks 10th in the 14-team standings with a 299 (+11). No. 5 ranked Texas leads the field with a 282 (-6) – including a +15 effort on the previously mentioned four hardest holes on the course – as only four teams shot under par during Round 1.
“We got off to a great start today under tough conditions most of the day,” Skyhawk head coach Austin Swafford said. “I’m proud of the guys for the way they hung in there. Unfortunately, we got into a couple of tough spots but overall I thought it was a very solid day, especially in these conditions.”
Nick Wolf equaled Chumley for the team lead with three birdies and in par-5 scoring (4.75, -1) on his way to a 74. Ross Redmont (75) began his day with a birdie and completed his round with 11 consecutive pars as his 15 total pars ranked second in the field. Jack Story tapped in one birdie on his way to a 78 as UT Martin’s fourth and final scorer.
Playing out of the No. 5 position in the lineup, Jacob Uehlein was responsible for one of only six eagles on the day when he accomplished that feat on the par-5, 578-yard Hole No. 14. The Tullahoma, Tenn. native finished his day with an 83 (+11).
The Skyhawks will be paired with No. 43 ranked Duke as well as Big South Conference champion Campbell for the second round tomorrow. Once again, UT Martin will tee off at Hole No. 10 from 9:25 through 10:09 a.m. Eastern time. Uehlein (9:25), Story (9:36), Redmont (9:47), Wolf (9:58) and Chumley (10:09) will look to improve the Skyhawks in the standings on moving day.
Photo courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information