PONTE VEDRA BAY, Fla. — Watch out. The Commodores will soon be here.
This was the message Vanderbilt’s golf team delivered to NCAA Division I golfers over the past two days, as they beat a field that included host North Florida and SEC rivals Alabama and Arkansas. It was played on a course known for its difficulty.
The top-ranked Commodores shot a 9-under round Monday at Sawgrass Country Club. They also broke the 54-hole scoring record to win The Hayt 16 shots ahead of UNF at 28 under 836. This was a postcard day with 36 holes played in cloudy, cold and windy conditions on Sunday.
Sophomore Gordon Sargent (67), led six Vanderbilt golfers among the top 14, with a seven-shot win over Nick Gabrelcik (70), at 15-under par 201. Sargent, who is the NCAA individual champion, tied the record for the lowest 18 holes with 64 on Sunday. He also set tournament records for overall score and score in relation to par, as well as victory margin.
Greg Eason from Central Florida held the 54-hole record at 11.-under 205 in 2014. Clint Jensen from Tulsa held the record for the largest margin at six shots.
The Vanderbilt team won The Hayt with a record score. This surpasses the previous tournament record of nine shots.
Scott Limbaugh, Vanderbilt coach, said that his team put forth an “amazing effort” this week. They had the right mindset to get out there today and finish it off in the right manner. It is not easy to accomplish something that everyone believes is easy. You need to be focused on the right things.
UNF is now second in the last two week’s rankings, beating No.1 by 14 shots. 8 Florida at Sea Best Invitational, and Vandy now.
Schroeder stated that the Gators and Commodores are “two of the top five to six talent teams in the country.” Vandy is the most dangerous team in America by the end, especially with the best player. We played really, really well. Unfortunately, we lost to a very good team.
Vandy broke the 54-hole team record of 845 set by Clemson 2021 and Oklahoma State 2014. Five shots ahead of six teams tied at 276, the Commodores broke Vandy’s 18-hole team record by posting a 271 second round.
Vandy has won 9 of the 12 last tournaments dating back to 2021. This stretch also included the 2022 SEC Championship, an NCAA Regional and the NCAA Stroke-Play Championship.
Limbaugh stated, “It was important that we get off to an excellent start this spring and send out the right message.”
It was a message that was delivered with a sledgehammer.
Vandy is so deep that senior Reid Davenport (and William Moll), who were both Ping All-Americans, played this week in an individual match. This allowed sophomore Jackson Van Paris to play and freshman Wells Williams the chance to start.
Van Paris (72) was tied for sixth at 4-under, while Wells (72) was tied for 11th place at 2-under. In his first college start, Wells had a 12-hole stretch in which he eagled three of the par-5s and hit a hole in one at No. 3. He scored 68 in round 2.
Matthew Riedel (70), tied for fourth at 5-under, and Cole Sherwood (71) tied for 14th place at 1 under.
UNF’s 12-under score would have won five or more of the six previous Hayts, putting UNF’s dominance in perspective. The Ospreys came in second place, beating Florida Gulf Coast 17 shots and Alabama 18 by 18.
He said, “In a lot many years, that’s enough good enough to win.” “You can’t play defense in golf.”
Sargent opened the day with a four shot lead over Gabrelcik, but he ended any hope of a comeback by birdieing four of his first five holes. To celebrate his fourth college win, he birdied his final two holes.
Limbaugh stated, “Gordon plays amazing golf and I’m so proud of his round.” “He sets high standards for himself, and that helps to set the standard for everyone.”
Sargent birdied four out of five holes, and then he put an end to the day with two closing birdsies.
Limbaugh stated, “Gordon plays amazing golf and I’m so proud of him finishing that round today.” “He sets high standards for himself, and that helps to set the standard for everyone.”
Austin Cherichella (69), from Florida Gulf Coast was the only one to finish third. Robbie Higgins (70), of UNF, tied with Riedel (44) and Davis Lee (71) tied 11th. Justin Ross (70), who is playing as an individual, was tied for eighth.
