The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Old Waverly Collegiate Championship
UAB Men's Golf Wins Second-Straight Team Title
4/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Team Standings 
WEST POINT, Miss. -- For the first time since the 1996-97 season, the UAB men's golf team won back-to-back team titles after winning the 2015 Old Waverly Collegiate Championship on Tuesday. The Blazers shot an 850 (-14) to earn the win.
"It was tight all day," head coach Alan Murray said. "We had the lead for most of the day then Florida overtook as towards the end. The last couple of holes things just went our way so really proud of the guys. They really gave a great effort for us."
UAB was one of just four teams in the 15-team field to finish under-par, as the Blazers 14-under edged Florida by one stroke. UAB recorded a 279 (-9) in the second round and finished with a 286 (-2) in the third.
It was the first time since 2007-08 that UAB has won two team titles in a season and the first time since 2001-02 that both wins came in the regular season.
Freshman Lee Hodges picked up his second-straight top 10 finish and third top five finish this season with a third place finish. The Elkmont, Ala. native carded a 207 (-9) after scoring back-to-back rounds of 68 and a 71 (-1) in the final round to finish just two strokes behind medalist Casey Fernandez. Hodges finished with 15 birdies over the two days.
"Lee Hodges played really well all weekend," Murray stated. "He finished under par in all three rounds so really proud of him. All the guys really played well."
Junior Will Cannon used a strong third round to jump up the individual standings into a tie for 13th. Cannon recorded a 4-under 68 in the final 18 holes to finish with a 213 (-3). He sank four-straight birdies at one point in the round and finished the round with a birdie on his final hole to secure the win for the Blazers.
Earning the first top 20 finish of his collegiate career was freshman Taylor Eyster. Eyster tied for 18th overall with a 216 (E), which included a 71 (-1) in the second round and 73 (+1) in the third. He recorded two eagles on the weekend, both coming on hole No. 2.
Senior Paul Dunne tied for 22nd overall with a 217 (+1). Dunne recorded a 73 (+1) and 74 (+2) in the second and third rounds after opening with a 2-under 70. Junior Martin Rohwer shot a 70 (-2) in the second round and finished with a 78 (+6) in the third. Rohwer finished tied for 45th with a 223 (+7).
Junior Ryan Davies competed as an individual for the tournament. Davies finished with a 233 (+17) with a 76 (+4) in the second round and a 76 (+4) in the third round.
"It was a good tournament and a good golf course," Murray said. "There were difficult conditions with the weather so the guys did well to battle through that. I am proud of them. We have a little bit of time before the Conference USA Tournament so we will rest up and prepare for that."
UAB will have a break before beginning postseason play at the 2015 Conference USA Championship that will be held in Texarkana, Ark., April 26-29.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For men's golf news, follow@UAB_MensGolf.
