LOXLEY, Alabama – The No. 1 Auburn men’s golf team capped a busy week with its second team victory in five days, winning the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational with a 42-under 822 the par 72, 7,096-yard Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Alabama.
“I’m really proud of the team and their resilient effort,” head coach Nick Clinard said. “Their focus and their energy all week, especially coming off East Lake, was impressive. They put the pedal down today and got a great team win. They played hard for Auburn and for each other and we couldn’t be prouder of them as coaches. We’re looking forward to getting into the offseason and continue to improve and get ready for the spring.”
The Tigers entered the weekend following a big win at the East Lake Cup Wednesday and came out firing on all cylinders Saturday, shooting a 19-under 269 in round one and a 16-under 272 in round two. The team held off a late push from No. 16 Georgia Tech Sunday in the final round, carding a 7-under 281 on the final day.
Georgia Tech took second at 40-under (824), while Texas A&M came in third at 30-under (834).
All five Tigers finished in the Top 15 with senior Cayden Pope leading the way. He put together a 12-under 304 to come in tied for fifth. He kicked off Saturday with a season-low 7-under 65 and followed with a 68. On Sunday, the Lexington, Kentucky product came in with a 1-under 71, picking up a birdie on the final hole to finish in the red all three rounds.
Sophomore Logan Reilly capped his successful week tied for seventh individually, having a 1-under 71 on the day to finish the tournament at 11-under 205. Freshman Alex Holder followed with another 71 on Sunday, coming in tied for ninth with a 9-under 207.
Sophomore Jake Albert carded a 2-under 70 on the day to make his three-day total a 208 (-8) for 11th place. Junior Billy Davis led the Tigers on the final day with a team-low 69 (-3) on Sunday. The Spring Valley, California product finished tied for 13th with a 6-under 210.
A pair of freshmen in Hampton Beebe and Smith Summerlin competed as individuals for the Tigers over the two-day tournament. Beebe finished with a 3-under 69 on the day to come in tied for 41st with a 217 (+1). Summerlin carded a 223 through three rounds.
Auburn will return to competition in February, traveling to Waikoloa, Hawai’i for the Amer Ari Invitational held at the Mauna Lani Golf Course.
RESULTS
TEAM RESULTS
1. AUBURN – 822 (-42)
2. Georgia Tech – 824 (-40)
3. Texas A&M – 834 (-30)
T4. Rutgers – 845 (-19)
T4. Mississippi State – 845 (-19)
6. Virginia Tech – 846 (-18)
T7. Kansas State – 849 (-15)
T7. Virginia – 849 (-15)
9. Iowa State – 853 (-11)
10. Maryland – 856 (-8)
T11. Kennesaw State – 866 (+2)
T11. Memphis – 866 (+2)
13. Rice – 873 (+9)
14. South Alabama – 877 (+13)
15. Nebraska – 884 (+20)
INDIVIDUAL
T5. Cayden Pope – 65-68-71=204 (-12)
T7. Logan Reilly – 66-68-71=205 (-11)
T9. Alex Holder – 69-67-71=207 (-9)
11. Jake Albert – 69-69-70=208 (-8)
T13. Billy Davis – 69-72-69=210 (-6)
T41. Hampton Beebe* - 74-74-69=217 (+1)
68. Smith Summerlin* - 73-75-75=223 (+7)