By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – For the third time this season, the University of Tennessee at Martin is bringing a tournament title back to campus as the Skyhawks tied for first place at the Battle at Black Creek this afternoon.
UT Martin tied tournament host Chattanooga with a final score of 857 (-7) as the two squads were named co-champions of the 18-team event. The Skyhawks shot a 291 (+3) during today’s third round, finishing up the tournament atop the field in par-4 scoring (4.05, +8) and eagles (four).
Today’s result officially marked the end of the fall season for UT Martin, who also won the Derek Dolenc Invitational (Sept. 27-28) and Grover Page Classic (Oct. 4-5) as part of their five-tournament schedule.
The Skyhawks boasted four top-25 finishers in the individual standings, led by Tate Chumley (211, -5) and Jonathan Xoinis (212, -4). Chumley led the tournament with a pair of eagles and ranked third in the field with a 3.90 par-4 scoring average (-3) while leading the squad in pars (33) and par-5 scoring (4.50, -6). Xoinis made the most out of a return to his hometown as the redshirt freshman finished first on the squad in birdies (13) and par-3 scoring average (3.08, +1).
Jacob Uehlein came in 20th place with a 218 (+2) while Garrett Chumley managed a 22nd-place finish after a 219 (+3) after tying Xoinis for the team lead in par-3 scoring (3.08, +1).
UT Martin’s best scorer in Round 3 was Tate Chumley (72), who had an eagle and a team-best four birdies today – three of which came on his final five holes. Uehlein wasn’t too far behind with a 73 that included a trio of birdies. Xoinis (four birdies in a row on Holes No. 4 through 7) and Garrett Chumley (two birdies) each generated countable 75’s while Cayden Chambers (80) accumulated three birdies on his scorecard.
Competing on an individual basis was Ethan Ray, who tapped in a pair of birdies as part of his 83 today.
For the tournament, Chambers tallied a 229 (+13) and Ray collected a 242 (+26).
The Skyhawks will officially return to the links on Feb. 20-22 when they travel to Goodyear, Ariz. for their spring opener at the Loyola Intercollegiate.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information