Results
The No. 7-ranked Emory University golf team closed out a successful opening to its 2017-18 season on Monday when it took home the top spot at the Rhodes College Fall Classic. The 54-hole event was played on the 7,125-yard, par-72 Tunica National Golf Course in Tunica, Mississippi.
Emory topped the 19-team field finishing with a team score of 855 (283-285-287), shattering the program record for a three-round event. The previous mark was 866 at the 2016 Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational. No. 1-ranked UT-Tyler took home runner-up honors, finishing seven shots off the pace at 862 (292-287-283). Southwestern University (TX) held down the No. 3 spot at 866 while host Rhodes finished fourth with a score of 873.
Sophomore Matt Organisak led the Emory effort, co-tying for medalist honors with Will Hocker of Webster University with each player firing a 10-under score of 206. Organisak carded rounds of 71-67-68 with his second-round effort establishing a career best while tying the program's fourth-best outing. His final score of 206 established a school record for a 54-hole tournament, bettering Ryan Dagerman's previous standard of 212 at the 2012 Marine Federal Credit Union. It was the first time an Emory player had finished first in a tourney since the 2016 Wylnakes Invitational when Stefano Butti and Stephen Shephard of Huntingdon deadlocked for first place. Freshman Eric Yiu was the squad's No. 2 finisher with a one-over par 217 (74-71-72) that tied for 15th place in the 98-player field. Junior Connor Yakubov checked with a mark of even-par 72 on Monday, giving him a total of three-over par 219 (73-74-72) that tied for 19th. Seniors Keenan Hickton (69-73-79—221) and Sean Murphy (70-78-75—223) tied for 27th and 37th place, respectively.
Emory returns to action, September 24-25, when it competes in the 54-hole NCAA Fall Preview in Greensboro, North Carolina.