Raiders clinch 1 seed, advance to finals at C-USA Championship

Wednesday, April 28

Texarkana, AR

Middle Tennessee

Conference USA Championship

4/28/2021 7:30:00 PM | Men's Golf

Stroke Play Results (PDF)Match Play Summary

Barnard's bounce back fuels MT in chase for third straight title

By: @MTAthletics

TEXARKANA, Ark. – Middle Tennessee Men's Golf clinched the No. 1 seed in match play at the Conference USA Championship on Wednesday and then took down No. 4 seed Charlotte to advance to Thursday morning's match play finals at Texarkana Country Club.

The Blue Raiders fired a 9-under par 279 to finish out stroke play strong with a 14-under par (850) 54- hole mark that was the best in the field before downing the 49ers in their afternoon match 3-1.

"What a day it was for our program again today," Head Coach Mark McEntire exclaimed. "I am so proud of our team for the composure they showed today and the performance they had to get us to this point in the championship."

Redshirt sophomore Michael Barnard led the way on day three, carding an impressive turnaround of 5-under par 67 fueled by seven birdies before earning MT's first win in the match play semifinals, 3&2.

Senior Tanner Owens and freshman Kevin Jegers both claimed All-Tournament Team honors for their Top 5 finishes in stroke play, with Owens clinching fourth place at 7-under par (70-69-70=209) thanks to a birdie on 18 while Jegers finished fifth at 6-under par (76-65-69=210) in his first C-USA Championship appearance.

Jegers was on his way to a win at 2 up thru 16 when his match was suspended while Owens went to the final hole but dropped his match 1 down.

Rookie Owen Stamper has impressed all week as well, finishing stroke play tied for 13^th at 1-under par (75-67-73=215) and was the second Blue Raider to clinch a match in the afternoon with a 3&1 win.

Just as you would guess, it was none other than two-time Tennessee Match Play champion Connor McKay who would clinch the win for the Blue Raiders.

Despite not having his best this week in stroke play he rose to the occasion, taking down reigning C-USA Golfer of the Year John Gough with a 3&2 win to send the Blue Raiders thru to the finals for their third consecutive title bout.

"We have some more work to do tomorrow, but look forward to the challenge and hope to bring another trophy back to the 'Boro," McEntire added.

No. 1 seed Middle Tennessee will take on No. 2 seed North Texas Thursday morning with a chance to claim their third straight Conference USA Championship trophy.