The Georgia and Georgia Tech golf teams opened their 2018 Fall schedules with runner-up finishes, with
the Yellow Jackets losing in a playoff in an event they host annually at The Farm outside Dalton.
Georgia opened its season with a second place finish in the Carmel Cup, which was played at Pebble
Beach Golf Links with an 8-team field consisting of four schools from both the SEC and Big 12.
The tournament was played under a different format than most college events, with each team utilizing
six players and the five low scores each day counting.
Georgia finished 54 holes with a 44-under 1036 total, two shots behind Oklahoma’s winning score.
Oklahoma is coached by Georgia native Ryan Hybl, who grew up near Athens and played his college golf
for the Bulldogs.
All six Georgia golfers finished under par for the tournament, led by freshman Trent Phillips, who tied
for third individually at 15-under 201 in his college debut, one of the lowest totals in team history.
Phillips posted scores of 68-64-69 to finish two shots behind the medalist.
The Bulldogs’ five other golfers placed between 11 th and 28 th . Sophomore Davis Thompson of St. Simons
Island shot 70-70-69 and tied for 11 th at 209. Junior Spencer Ralston of Gainesville tied for 13 th at 210
with scores of 71-70-69. Junior Tye Waller of Griffin shot 71-70-71—212 to tie for 19 th.
Sophomore John Hilliard Catanzaro shot a 66 in the second round, with his opening score of even par 72
the highest counting score for the Bulldogs. Junior Trevor Phillips, Trent’s older brother, rebounded
from a difficult opening round to close with scores of 69 and 67, the latter the low score for Georgia the
final day.
The Bulldogs’ next two events will also be played at PGA Tour courses – Colonial CC in Ft. Worth, Tex.,
and Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, the host course for the Memorial Tournament. Georgia will close
out its Fall schedule in Hawaii at a course that has been the site for both Champions and LPGA Tour
events.
Georgia Tech began its fall schedule at the Farm, which has been the site of a tournament hosted by the
Yellow Jackets for three decades. The Yellow Jackets battled SEC opponents Tennessee and Alabama for
the team title, with Tech and Tennessee tying at 21-under 843, two in front of Alabama.
Tennessee took home the title by winning a playoff on the first extra hole.
Georgia Tech trailed the Vols by one shot after shooting 8-under 280 in the opening round, and followed
with a score of 275 to pull even after 36 holes. Alabama shot a tournament low 270 in the second round
to close within two shots, with all three teams posting scores of 287 the final day.
Luke Schniederjans, a junior from Powder Springs, was low for Georgia Tech, tying for fourth at 6-under
210 with scores of 69-70-71. Junior Tyler Strafaci shared the 36-hole lead at 135 after a second round
65, but faded to a 77 the next day and tied for sixth at 212.
Sophomore Noah Norton was three shots back of Strafaci after a second round 67, but slipped to a 76
the next day and tied for 11 th at 214. Because Strafaci shot a 77, Norton’s 76 counted. Tech’s highest
counting scores the first two days were 71 and 73.
James Clark, a fifth year senior from Columbus, and junior Andy Ogletree had the low scores for Georgia
Tech the final day at 2-under 70. Clark tied for 14 th at 215 and Ogletree tied for 16 th at 216.
Georgia Tech’s next event is scheduled for Scottsdale, Ariz., later this month, with the Yellow Jackets
playing at Muirfield Village in early October against a field that includes Georgia. The Yellow jackets
close out their Fall schedule in a event they host annually at Golf Club of Georgia Oct. 18-20.