Blue Raiders continue fall play at Bayou City Collegiate Classic

Monday, September 21

Houston, TX

Middle Tennessee

Bayou City Collegiate

9/20/2026 8:00:00 AM | Men's Golf

By: Willie Phaler, MTSU Athletic Communications

HOUSTON- Middle Tennessee men's golf will head south for its second tournament of the year for the Bayou City Collegiate Classic, hosted by Rice. Six Blue Raiders are slated to make the trip to the Lone Star State, with five on the team lineup along with an individual.

A Houston-based tournament, this marks the Blue Raiders first appearance in the Bayou City Collegiate Classic in program history. Middle Tennessee's trip to Texas follows up a busy opening week, with a team tournament, along with four individuals competing separately.

Quick Notes

Middle Tennessee enters the tournament on a high note, specifically for fifth-year Jake Hopper. The Oklahoma native captured the individual title at the Grover Page Classic after putting up a four-under 212 across three rounds. Hopper's winning effort was spearheaded by a clutch four-under 68 after coming out of the first two rounds at par.
Connor Henry had the lowest single and total round score out of the nine Blue Raiders that hit the links last week. On day two of the JT Poston Invitational, Henry shot a four-under 67. Overall on the week, the senior tallied a three-under 210 to land in T25.
At the JT Poston Invitational, the Blue Raiders placed 13th of 17 teams in the tournament after tallying an 848 score.
Freshman Stiles Hunter had a steady debut for the Blue Raiders at the Poston Invitational, coming out even after shooting even, one-over and one-under. Hunter found two eagles during his first collegiate tournament.
Senior Clay Pendergrass finished his debut as a Blue Raider strong, shooting a bogey-free three-under third round at the Poston Invitational.
While Hopper made headlines with his performance at the Page Classic, teammate Oliver Baker did his best to keep up. The junior Englishman finished T6 with a two-under 214.
Maddox Crowder contributed a round in the 60s during the first tournament of his sophomore season. On day two of the Poston Invitational, Crowder turned in a three-under 68.

Projected Lineup

The Blue Raiders projected lineup for the tournament includes: Connor Henry, Jake Hopper, Maddox Crowder, Stiles Hunter and Clay Pendergrass.
Oliver Baker will also be competing in the event as an individual.

Scouting the Opponent

The Bayou City Collegiate Classic will be played at Westwood Golf Course in Houston, Texas. Westwood is listed as a 7,184 yard course with par sitting at 72.
Middle Tennessee is one of 16 teams slated to enter the tournament. The Blue Raiders are also one of just three teams in the tournament not from the state of Texas.
The tournament host, Rice, is coming off a T3 finish at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup last week.
Head coach Mark McEntire will see his alma mater in the field at the Bayou City Collegiate Classic, as Texas is set to compete in the event with individuals. McEntire starred for the Longhorns for four seasons, including being the team's captain for the 1999-2000 campaign.
Joining Middle Tennessee and the tournament host Rice in the team competition are: Abilene Christian, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, Prairie View A&M, Sam Houston, Samford, UT-Arlington, UTRGV, Texas Southern and Valparaiso.
Texas A&M and Houston, along with Texas, will have individuals competing in the event.

Follow the Blue Raiders: Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Golf on social media on Facebook /MTMGolf, X (@MT_MGolf) and Instagram (@mt_mgolf).