BRISTOL, Tenn. — The Tusculum University men’s golf team shot a school-record 273 and are tied for first following opening day action at the 2024 King University Invitational. The two-day, 36-hole event is being held at the par-70, 6,474-yard Golf Club of Bristol.
The Pioneers’ seven-under par 273 equals the team performance at the Pioneer Classic on Oct. 31, 2015. TU is tied for first with tournament host King, who also shot 273 on its home course. Tusculum is looking for a three-peat at the KU Invitational, winning the 2022 and 2023 events.
The Tusculum duo of Hunter Hartman and Blake Williams established career-lows with their three-under par 67 as they are both tied for fourth place honors. Hartman and Williams are two shots out of the lead held by first round co-leaders Matthew Herberger (Chowan), Piyachote Naphapayar (UVA Wise) and Asmund Norum (King), who all finished with five-under par 65.
In the team competition, Belmont Abbey and Young Harris are on the heels of the Pioneers and the Tornado as they are tied for third place with 277. Limestone is fifth with 282, followed by North Greenville (283), UVA Wise (283), Emory & Henry (284), Chowan (288), Texas-Dallas (289), Belmont Abbey B (290), King B (295) and Ferrum (302).
Tusculum senior Liam van Deventer is locked in a five-way tie for ninth place with his opening 68 (-2). For van Deventer, it was his 17th career sub-par round, moving him into sole possession of sixth place in program history.
TU freshman Harrison Price shot 71 and is tied for 26th place in his collegiate debut. Sophomore Marinus Jeebe posted a 73 and is in 36th.
The final round will be conducted on Tuesday.
