Bettcher leads men’s golf to eighth place in Kiawah

The Troy men’s golf team finished in a tie for eighth place out of 22 teams at the Kiawah Classic in Kiawah Island, South Carolina on Tuesday.

The Trojans finished 29 shots behind the Tennessee Volunteers, who claimed the top spot in the team standings.

With a final score of 300-292-304, the Trojans topped much larger Division I schools such as Rutgers and Nebraska, as well as the hosts Charleston Southern.

Individually, senior Jared Bettcher was the highest-placing Trojan, landing in a tie for 15th place. Bettcher shot a 1-under 71 in the first two rounds, but followed with a 5-over 77 to put him at a 3-over 219 after day three.

Seniors Cam Norman and Luke Moser followed Bettcher’s performance by finishing in ties for 36th and 44th, respectively.

Overall, the two only finished one shot apart — Norman carded a 10-over 226 and Moser shot an 11-over.

Following an 8-over 80 performance in the first round, Norman found his rhythm in the final two days of the tournament, finishing with a score of 80-76-70.

Moser saw some of the same results as he shot 74-73-80.

Senior Clayton Vannoy and sophomore Calum Masters rounded out the lineup for the Trojans. Vannoy shot 77-72-79, giving him a 12-over 228 and landing him in a tie for 48th place.

Masters followed with a 16-over 232 and a spot in 77th place. Masters shot a consistent 78-76-78 to wrap up play for the Trojans.

With the fall season now in the books, the men’s golf team looks ahead to next year. The team will travel to Gainesville, Florida, to take part in the Gator Invitational hosted by Florida on Saturday, Feb. 18.