4/25/19
ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. (April 23, 2019) – After defeating No. 7 Point University at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Spring Championship, the No. 19 Truett McConnell University men’s golf team fell to the Skyhawks at the AAC Direct Qualifier at the Barnsley Garden Resort to take runner-up of 12 teams. In fact, the Bears bounced back from a fifth place finish after round 1 of the first 18 holes. TMU recorded the best score in round 2 (291) but ultimately fell after the third round by 13 strokes (899). Tennessee Wesleyan University placed third with a total score of 907.
Junior Matt Smith, however, was tied in first with two other Point individuals for player of the year before the tournament. After his day one stellar rounds of 69 (three under) and 71 (one under), Smith sat in runner-up by a single stroke behind Joao Megalhaes from Point. After a head to head race through the final 18 holes, Megalhaes pulled out from behind through the back nine holes to claim first. Smith claimed a spot on the All-Tournament team and All-Conference first team. Additionally, two more Bears earned spots on the All-Conference first team which is the most any TMU team has ever had; fellow juniors Dawson Day and Luke Peavy.
Senior David Ford stepped it up big for his team with three fabulous rounds of 79, 72 and 73 which placed him tied for ninth behind Smith in the tournament. Peavy followed tied in 11th with rounds of 77, 74 and 74. Day shot an 83 through round 1 but bounced back with a 74 and 73 to place 17th. Freshman Jhett Lewis also competed for the Bears placing 40th (85, 80, 80).
Up next, the nationally-ranked Bears will wait and see if they will receive an at-large bid to the national tournament which will take place in Mesa, Arizona on May 21 – May 24.
