Tennessee State Tigers Finish Second in Opening Tournament

Courtesy TSU Athletics

Prattville, Alabama – The Tigers cut five strokes off of their first day score and finished with a second place finish at the Alabama State Fall Classic. The Par-72, 7,477-yard Senator Course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Prattville, Ala. was played under mostly sunny skies, a slight breeze and 88 degree conditions. TSU (305-300=605) shot a 12-over, 300, but were unable to track down Alabama State who shot a 2-under as a team on Monday.  

Andrew Warner paced the Tigers with an even par 72 and was followed by James Stepp who scored his second consecutive 2-over, 74. Codie Welborn and Dallas Hill each carded a 5-over, 77 over the final 18-holes. Shane Sampair was a stroke back, with a 6-over, non-scoring 78.

Warner (75-72=147) notched birdies on seven, 11, 15 and 18. On the par-3, 7th, Warner used an 8-iron off the box from 170-yards out to within 3-feet to set up a tap in birdie. The senior was able to hit 10 of 14 fairways, 11 greens and used just 25 putts today. 

Stepp (74-74=148) found nine fairways and 10 greens on Monday as he repeated his score from day one. Stepp reached the green in two on the par-5, 8th giving himself a long-putt opportunity for eagle. He was able to two-putt for his first birdie in round two. The junior nearly chipped in for eagle on 17, but just missed and settled for a tap in birdie. Stepp picked up a birdie on 12 as he used an 8-iron to within 6-feet of the hole to set up the makeable putt. 

Wellborn (79-77=156) marked his lone birdie on eight. The senior hit his second shot into the green side bunker and blasted out to four feet to set up the birdie putt. Welborn hit nine fairways and seven greens, while using just 28 putts. 

Hill (81-77=158) rebounded from yesterday’s play despite hitting just half of his fairways. Hill picked up a pair of birdies via the long putt. The junior sank a 20-footer on eight and a 35-footer on 11 to get himself pack into a comfortable position. On his second to last hole of the day, the par-4, 3rd, Hill stuck an 8-iron to about 5-feet away to set up his third birdie of the final round.

Sampair (77-78=155) dropped birdies on the 8th, 11th and 15th. The junior was 4-of-10 in up-and-down opportunities and used 31 putts as he found 10 fairways and eight greens. 

TSU will take a couple weeks off before playing in the National Black College Hall of Fame Tournament in Atlanta, Ga. on Sept. 28-29.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION