Middle Tennessee shot a 294 in the final round and an 880 54-hole total to place fourth in the 14-team field at the 2016 Frankin American Mortgage Intercollegiate at The Grove (par 72, 7,348 yards).
The Blue Raiders led the field in par 4 scoring for the week and ranked second in par 5 scoring.
“This was a great field and gave our guys a chance to see where we were and I thought we measured up,” said Head Coach Brennan Webb. “This was a highly competitive field and a great tournament but it would never have happened without The Grove, Franklin American Mortgage and all the volunteers. I can’t thank them all enough.”
Ole Miss shot a 290 to hang on and defeat Kennesaw State. The Rebels finished with a tournament record 868 54-hole total while KSU had an 874 after posting the top round of the day at 4-under par 284. College of Charleston placed third.
Ole Miss sophomore Braden Thornberry took home medalist honors with a tournament record 5-under par 211 total. Only three golfers in the field finished under par.
Sophomore Marcus Byrd and senior Joey Savoie led the Blue Raiders in the final round as each shot a 1-under par 71. Byrd, who tied for third in last year’s tournament, birdied hole 18 for his second straight under par round to finish third. Byrd, who shared the tournament lead with a 2-under par cumulative score on par 4s, had two birdies on the day and eight for the tournament.
After starting 3-over par on the front, Savoie reeled off four straight birdies on holes 11-14 to key his under par round. Savoie finished with a 221 total and a tie for 22nd.
Sophomore James Beckner registered a 76 in the final round for a 225 total for 54 holes and a tie for 41st. Beckner had three birdies on the day and six for the tournament.
Senior Connor Slane also carded a 76 on Tuesday to finish at 223 and in a tie for 29th. Slane, who had three birdies in the final round, managed two birdies over his final four holes.
Freshman Chip Thomas had a 5-over par 77 in the final round to finish with a 224 total and a tie for 35th.
Hoyeong Kim and Drake Duncan played as individuals this week. Kim had a 2-under par 70 to match the third-best round of the day to finish with a 223. Kim tied for 29th.
Duncan also tied for 29th with a 223 after posting a 77 on Tuesday.
The Blue Raiders will head to Cincinnati, OH on Sept. 26 for the Cincinnati Intercollegiate at Coldstream.
