Blue Raiders claim first team win at The Grove

Tuesday, October 13

College Grove, TN

Middle Tennessee

Intercollegiate at The Grove

10/13/2020 5:26:00 PM | Men's Golf, BRAA

Sadlowski sinks winning putt on 18, cards tourney's low round

By: @MTAthletics

Final Results

COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – It came down to the final hole in College Grove, but Head Coach Mark McEntire and the Blue Raider Men's Golf team locked up their first team title in the 7-year history of the Intercollegiate at The Grove on Tuesday with a team score of 3-under par.

Down three strokes with one hole to go, the Blue Raiders needed a strong effort on the tricky but scoreable Par 5 18^th hole, and they got just that. Birdies from freshman Owen Stamper and Michael Barnard cut the deficit to one and put the spotlight on MT's final group consisting of Connor McKay, Tanner Owens and Palmer Sadlowski.

Having already put together what would go down as a career low round, Sadlowski stepped onto the 18^th green with a 15-footer for birdie that could seal MT's first team title of the 2020-21 season … and drained it for a 5-under par 67 that was the low round of the week.

"Tanner and I saw the leaderboard and we knew we were one back," Sadlowski stated. "We both got on the green and after that we knew one of us just had to make a putt, and when it came down to me I drilled it.

"I've never really been under pressure like that before. The whole round I was just like 'when is this grind going to be over?' … Luckily I was able to finish it out with a birdie on 18."

MT's final round hero also claimed the first Top 10 finish of his career, earning a share of ninth place at 1-under par (76-67=141) on the week.

"What an incredible performance that Palmer gave us today," McEntire exclaimed. "Ever since Palmer and I got here at the same time, I've been waiting for him to have a round like this. He's special, really talented, just gotten in his own way a few times … but hopefully this will propel him to where we think he can be. We think the world of him and that he can carry Blue Raider nation on his back like he did here today, and he will be a great ambassador for this program for years to come."

Senior Tanner Owens was the top finisher for Middle Tennessee, claiming a tie for fifth at 2-under par (70-72=142) with a pair of rounds of par or better.

Sophomore Michael Barnard matched Sadlowski at 1-under par (69-74=143) to give Middle Tennessee three golfers inside the Top 9 at their home event while also earning his second consecutive Top 10 finish.

McKay posted a 5-over par score for the week with rookie Owen Stamper right on his heels at 6-over par, while Gavin Clements closed out the scoring in the lineup at 9-over par.

Sophomore Josh Morris led four Blue Raiders playing as individuals with a strong week of 1-over par (71-74=145) golf that landed him in a tied for 17^th place.

Daniel Love (+7), Steven Haremski (+12) and Cooper Sears (+15) rounded out MT's individual scores at The Grove.

Middle Tennessee shares the team title honors with Louisiana Monroe, who started the day in third place and used a 1-under par round to match Middle Tennessee's 36-hole total of 573.

With the fall season complete, the Blue Raiders now turn their attention to the spring season and the opening this winter of their state-of-the-art practice facility at The Grove.

"What a great performance, what a great way to end the fall," McEntire concluded. "The Grove is one of the most special places not only in college golf but in all of golf. With everything that is moving here, it will be the epicenter of golf in Tennessee for a long time I'm just glad that they let us be a part of it."

Gallery: (10-13-2020) MGolf Intercollegiate at The Grove