The Bob Jones Universtiy golf team wrapped up their 2024 fall season tied for third place at the Eagle Invitational in Cohutta, Georgia. At the conclusion of the two-day tournament, two Bruins finished in the top ten in a field of 70 golfers representing nine programs.
The Bruins made the trip to North Nob Golf Course in Cohutta, Georgia ready to compete at the Eagle Invitational with 10 players making up two teams. Brandon Autry, Dakota Holt, Josiah Swaffer, Braden Benke, and Connor Hairgrove represented A-Team with Nicholas Smith, Peter Zhong, Eli DeVaugh, David Towberman, and Brayden Joyner making up the B-Team.
Connor Hairgrove got off to a good start and helped move the A-Team up the leaderboard. At the turn, Brandon Autry recorded his fourth birdie of the day to bring him to even on the day and tied for third place individually with Hairgrove and just one shot out of the lead.
At the end of Round One, the Bruins found themselves just two shots out of first in second place with an opening round score of 304. Leading the way for Bob Jones with an even par round of 72 was Hairgrove. Autry (75), Holt (78) and Benke (79) rounded out first round with all counting scores in the 70's.
As competition got underway on Tuesday, the Bruins looked to make their way up the leaderboard. They soon found themselves tied for first with Truett McConnell University. After the shotgun start, Josiah Swaffer tallied the first birdie on the board for the Bruins on the par-4, second hole.
It was a bit of a slow start for the Bruins but at the turn, Bob Jones looked to gain momentum as they worked to climb as a team. Unfortunately, their Round Two total of 312 wasn't enough to catch Tusculum University and they wrapped up the tournament with a two-day score of 616 to finish the Eagle Invitational tied for third place.
Hairgrove and Autry were consistent in both rounds to finish tied for tenth individually.
"It was a bit disappointing not to be able to rise to the challenge of possibly winning this event when we were just two shots out of the lead at the beginning of the second round. It would have been a great way to end the fall season," said Head Coach Denny Scott. "With the shotgun start in Round Two, we were on the part of the golf course where we could have made a run at first place. However, we ended up slipping back a bit with an unexpectedly slow start. We were making bogeys on holes where we should have been making some birdies."
Coach Scott continued saying, "we did gain some momentum with a few birdies late in the round, but it was obviously too little, too late and we ended up tied for third place. It seemed that no one had back-to-back great rounds. A couple of guys had great first rounds and then struggled in the second. Other guys were just the opposite, struggling in Round One and then making a strong comeback in Round Two. Peter Zhong and Josiah Swaffer both struggled in the first round but were strong in the second round. The only way to win these tournaments is to have guys who can consistently score at or near par on both days."
"We will miss Josiah's leadership as this was his final tournament as a Bruins golfer. He has made a lasting impact on our program both on and off the course."
Full results from the Eagle Invitational can be found
here.
