Hay wins the Tusculum Invitational, Jackson places in top five

Gavin Hay (Glasgow, Scotland) claimed the first place spot and wins the Tusuculum Invitational, Sunday at the at the Link Hills Country Club.

The senior is C-N’s first medalist since Brad Robinson won the Johnny Palmer Invitational in 2009.

Hay’s two-day 137 (-5) is tied for the eighth lowest 36-hole score in SAC men’s golf history and is the second lowest two-round total in C-N men’s golf history behind Matthew Cram-Smith’s 136 at the Johnny Palmer Invitational in 2002.

Head coach John Minor said he’s thrilled about Gavin’s first college tournament win.

“Gavin played a solid two days of golf and have a great attitude that helped to grab that win,” Minor said.

“It is not easy to win an individual golf tournament, most college golfers go through their career and never can get a win, so congratulations Gavin.”

Along with Hay, junior Rafael Jackson (Rutledge, Tenn.) made the All-Tournament Team. Jackson tied for fourth with a total score of 142.

“I am also very proud of Rafael,” Minor said,”He had a great tournament and played two solid rounds of golf.”

As a team the Eagles placed in 4th with group scores of 291 for round one and 290 for round two. This is the second consecutive tournament the men’s team has finished in the top four.

Junior Jonathan Kim-Moss (Mississauga, Canada) tied for 38th place with scores of 76 (+5) and 74 (+3). Senior Michael Horenkamp (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) finished in a tie for 50th after a two day total of 152 (+10).

The final Eagle, freshman Nathan Hodge (Jefferson City, Tenn.) ended the tournament in 92nd place with scores of 86 (+15) and 80 (+9).

“I hope with Gavin’s win and Rafael finishing in the top five will help elevate our team the rest of the season,” Minor said.

The men will tee again Monday, March 18 at the Bobcat Invitational in Eatonton, Ga.