By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
PADUCAH, Ky. – Four of the six matches went the distance or extra holes Monday as the University of Tennessee at Martin hosted a successful inaugural Clash at the Country Club Event against Western Kentucky.
The Hilltoppers claimed a 5-1 win in the match play event, held at the par-72, 7,014-yard course at the Country Club of Paducah.
The Skyhawks claimed a commanding win at the No. 4 pairing as redshirt sophomore Ethan Ray won 3&2 over Western Kentucky’s Nic Hofman. Ray was up four through six holes and added three victories over a span of seven holes on the back-nine to secure the win.
Playing in his hometown, freshman Rocco Zakutney nearly secured a victory but fell in a 19th hole tiebreaker. He emerged victorious in eight of the first 16 holes against Luke Fuller as the pair was all square in regulation before Fuller claimed the narrow victory out of the No. 2 slot.
At No. 6, Garrett Chumley won seven of the first 16 holes but fell victim to a comeback from the Hilltoppers’ Will Stewart, who claimed a 1-up victory.
Jonathan Xoinis won five holes at No. 3 – including No. 17 to give himself a chance to send his matchup into a playoff. However, he and his opponent Connery Meyer both ended with the same score on No. 18 to give Meyer a 1-up win.
Cayden Chambers’ head-to-head matchup at No. 1 also went the full 18 holes. He was all square through 14 holes before Western Kentucky’s Riley Grindstaff won twice from that point forward for the 2&1 win.
UT Martin freshman Dax Isbell put up a battle at the No. 5 position, claiming five holes before falling 3&2 to the Hilltoppers’ Landon Carner.
“The boys fought hard today,” Skyhawk head coach Austin Swafford said. “We have to be sharper in a few areas and give ourselves more opportunities. Western Kentucky played well and earned the win. We are excited about the next few months to reset and refocus before the spring season arrives.”
This event closed out the five-tournament fall schedule for UT Martin. The Skyhawks will be back in action on Feb. 10-11 at the second annual Carpenter/Chaney Classic, held at Indian River Preserve Golf Club in Mims, Fla.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information