ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University men's and women's golf teams are set to host their respective AU Invitationals, Monday and Tuesday at Cobb's Glen Country Club in Anderson, S.C.
The men's tournament will feature the host Trojans along with two teams from Belmont Abbey, Bob Jones University, Catawba, a pair of teams from Erskine and Southern Wesleyan, along with Spartanburg Methodist rounding out the 10-team field. The course will consist of a par-72, 6,922-yard layout, with the men teeing off at the first hole on both days at 8:30 a.m.
Led by Jake Miller's two-day 1-over-par 145, the men's squad finished third a year ago. AU was unable to hold its narrow one-shot lead entering the final round, while Erskine moved up to win the two-day event by two strokes over Southern Wesleyan. The Trojans finished third, with Erskine (B) taking the fourth slot. Emmanuel, Spartanburg Methodist and Bob Jones University rounded out the seven-team field.
Southern Wesleyan's Eric Shea posted a two-round 139, including a 6-under-par 66 in the second round to win individual honors.
Miller finished in a tie for third place, while AU's Colt Martin finished in eighth place. Cal Brock and Brady Cox finished in a tie for 18th place, while Drake McAlister and Kyle Ketchum finished in a tie for 30th place.
The Trojan men were unable overcome a three-stroke deficit following the opening round two years ago and finished second, just one shot off the pace set by Georgia Southwestern. AU finished fourth three years ago after winning the 2015 AU Invitational by four shots over Lenoir-Rhyne. With that win, the Trojans became the first Black and Gold squad to capture the AU Invitational team title since former standout and current AU assistant coach Denton Moore led AU to the 2003 title. AU claimed seventh place five years ago and ninth in 2013.
The women's 10-team event will consist of the host Trojans alongside teams from Belmont Abbey, Bob Jones University, Catawba, Converse, Emmanuel, Erskine, Limestone, Southern Wesleyan, and two individuals from Spartanburg Methodist. The ladies' layout will feature a par-72, 5,863-yard course, with the women teeing off at the 10th tee on both days at 8:30 a.m.
A year ago, Kate Hill rallied from five strokes off the pace to post a school-record 4-under-par 68 and win individual honors, while leading the women's golf team to its second straight AU Invitational title.
The Trojans posted a then-program record round during the second round with a final-round 293, which bettered their old record by two strokes. AU won by a comfortable 38-shot margin over Catawba, with longtime rival Erskine holding third place – five shots further back. Converse was fourth, while King claimed fifth place. Belmont Abbey finished in sixth place, with Southern Wesleyan, Emmanuel and Spartanburg Methodist finishing out the nine-team field.
Hill, who began the second day in seventh place, was the only golfer to post a below-par score during the two-round tournament and edged teammate Anna Freeman by two strokes. Kerington Lamb finished in fourth place. AU's Victoria Hall finished ninth.
Hill fired a two-day 6-over-par 150 to lead AU to the 2017 title by one stroke over Lincoln Memorial, marking the first time in program history that the Trojans took home the championship hardware.
AU finished second in 2015, which was previously their highest finish since placing third in both 2010 and 2011. Queens earned the 2016 title, with the Trojans taking home third place. AU finished fifth in both 2013 and 2014, after placing fourth in 2012. Erskine claimed back-to-back team titles in 2013 and 2014, while Flagler earned the team title in 2012.
