Franklin, Tenn. - The Georgia State men's golf team finished its first tournament of the season with a 13th place finish at the Mason Rudolph Championship on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers were led by walk-on Tyler Gruca, who was making his first collegiate appearance.
After a tough first round saw State shoot 306, the Panthers rebounded over the weekend with rounds of 287 and 291 to jump four spots in the standings.
Gruca helped lead the bounce-back, shooting 72-71 over the weekend, after an opening round 76. Gruca's 6-over, 219 tied him for 41st in the 90-man field.
Senior Brent Paul tied Gruca for the Panthers low score on Sunday, shooting 71 to finish tied for 49th. After opening with a 77 on Friday, Paul rebounded with a 72 on Saturday.
Paul and Gruca each made four birdies to lead the Panthers in Sunday's final round.
Senior Alan Fowler also improved each day, shooting 73 on Sunday after opening with rounds of 75 and 74. Fowler finished tied for 57th.
Freshman Bryan Fox, also making his collegiate debut, shot a final round 77 to finish tied for 72nd. Fox had the Panthers round of the tournament, shooting 69 on Saturday, following an opening round 82.
Redshirt-junior Jared Cagle rounded out the line-up, shooting 76 on Sunday to finish in 85th place. Cagle opened with rounds of 78 and 80.
After taking the lead on Friday, Memphis never looked back en route to a two stroke victory. The Tigers finished 10-under par to defeat South Carolina, which rallied on Sunday, but finished at 8-under. Ole Miss finished third at 5-under, followed by Oklahoma at 4-under.
Memphis was atop the individual leaderboard as well, as Jack Belote earned a one stroke victory over South Carolina's Blaine Woodruff. Belote finished at 8-under, followed by Woodruff at 7-under and Oklahoma's Will Kropp at 5-under.
The Panthers will return to action in just over a week at the Wolfpack Invitational hosted by N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C. The teams will play 36 holes on October 4th and 18 holes on October 5th.
Team Results
1. Memphis - 274 284 284 842 -10
2. South Carolina - 285 279 280 844 -8
3. Mississippi - 282 285 280 847 -5
4. Oklahoma - 274 292 282 848 -4
5. Middle Tennessee St. - 292 284 274 850 -2
6. Vanderbilt - 285 286 285 856 +4
T7. Chattanooga - 290 282 286 858 +6
T7. Davidson - 287 287 284 858 +6
9. Akron - 289 287 290 866 +14
10. Mississippi St. - 292 290 287 869 +17
11. Arkansas State - 293 290 287 870 +18
12. South Alabama - 294 294 283 871 +19
13. Georgia State - 306 287 291 884 +32
14. Tennessee-Martin - 302 288 298 888 +36
15. Western Carolina - 294 293 302 889 +37
16. Belmont - 301 296 302 899 +47
17. Lipscomb - 297 315 300 912 +60
GSU Individuals
T41. Tyler Gruca - 76-72-71--219
T49. Brent Paul - 77-72-71--220
T57. Alan Fowler - 75-74-73--222
T75. Bryan Fox - 82-69-77--228
85. Jared Cagle - 78-80-76--234
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