Trojans Take USF Fall Invitational Tournament Title
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Taylor men's golf team tied a school record with a team score of one-under 287 on Saturday en route to the Saint Francis Fall Invitational tournament title.
Sophomore Jeremy Ray fired a two-under 70 and senior Ian Rinken added a 71 to lead the way for the Trojans during Saturday's final round. Junior Trey Turner birdied his last hole for a 73 while sophomore Alec Dutkowski also added a 73 to bring the Trojans to the team total of 287. Taylor's drop score was a 78 for junior Nick Waskom.
The 21st-ranked Trojans entered the final round with a one shot lead over the hosts from Saint Francis but TU pulled away for a nine shot victory as the Trojans finished with a two-round total of three-over par 579 (292-287). Saint Francis was next at 588 (293-295) followed by Taylor's "B" team at 593 (298-295).
Freshman Scottie Marston fired the round of the day for TU with a three-under par 69 for the Taylor "B" team. Senior Nathan Edwards added a one-under 71 while the TU "B" team also counted a 77 from first round leader Mitch Lamping and a 78 from freshman Nate Morris. Senior Jordan Hall added a 79 for the Trojans as all ten players finished with rounds below 80.
Eight Trojans finished tied for 12th or better in the 67-player field while six different Trojans carded sub-par rounds during either the first or second round of the tournament.
Dutkowski led the way for Taylor with a two-round total of one-under 143 to finish in a tie for third. Rinken (75-71) and Lamping (69-77) finished in a tie for sixth place at 146 followed by Waskom (70-78), Edwards (77-71), and Marston (79-69) in a tie for eight place at 148.
The victory is Taylor's second in three starts this fall as TU defeated Crossroads League teams Saint Francis, Huntington, Grace, and Mount Vernon Nazarene.
The Trojans return to action next weekend at the Battle at Blackthorn played at Blackthorn Golf Club in South Bend, Indiana.