GREENEVILLE, TN - The Emmanuel men's golf team captured the team and individual titles at the 2023 Bob Diddle Intercollegiate on Tuesday.
The Lions shot scores of 286(+2) and 287 (+3) for a 573 total (+5). Despite being tied going into the last hole, Emmanuel defeated tournament host Tusculum University by four shots. Markel Olasagasti won individually, shooting 70-68 to finish -4 for the tournament and one shot clear of second place.
The event took place at Link Hills Country Club, a 6,701 yard, par 71 layout in Greeneville, Tennessee. After a frost delay and low of 20 degrees pushed the starting time back to 10:30am, the Lions would open with a 286 (+2) in the brisk weather. Tusculum shot a 285 (+1) in round one to lead the way after 18 holes. Emmanuel was in second, 7 shots clear of Christian Brothers University, who shot 293 (+9).
On Tuesday the Lions and Pioneers battled it out, trading first place position throughout the first nine (both teams started on hole 10) until Emmanuel led by four early on the back nine. However, a string of bogeys for the Lions at the par three 3rd hole (Emmanuel's 12th hole of the day), brought the teams back to all square. Entering the 17th hole of the day, the two squads were still tied. The finish of holes eight and nine were back-to-back par fives, both reachable but with demanding tee shots. Tusculum would play the two holes even par, but with birdies from juniors Markel Olasagasti and Pelayo Sol and a pair of pars from Pablo Riveiro, the Lions led by two when freshman Daniel Alonso was the last to finish. Alonso birdied hole eight and then nearly holed out for albatross on the ninth. His two-putt birdie secured the four shot victory for the Lions.
Leaderboard:
- Emmanuel 573 (+5)
- Tusculum 577 (+9)
- Tusculum "B" 584 (+15)
- Walters State 586 (+18)
- Emory and Henry 589 (+21)
- Christian Brothers 592 (+24)
- Roane State 593 (+25)
- Spartanburg Methodist 609 (+41)
- Mars Hill 627 (+59)
- University of Virginia - Wise 630 (+62)
Junior Markel Olasagasti led the way for the Lions. After opening with a 70 (-1) on Monday, he finished with a 68 (-3) on Tuesday to win the tournament individually. He was tied with Tusculum's Isak Holter (who was already finished) when he stepped on the tee of his 17th hole, but a birdie-par finish secured the title with a 138 (-4).
Freshman Daniel Alonso set the pace for the Lions on Monday, kicking off the tournament with a 3 under par score of 68. After two birdies and a bogey over his first 16 holes, he finished with back-to-back birdies to jump into second place in the field and low score for Emmanuel. After a mid-round blunder in the second round, Alonso one again finished with two birdies in his last two holes to help bring home the team title. He posted a 75 (+4) in round two to finish with a 143 (+1), which put him in a tie for 5th.
Sophomore Pablo Riveiro was +2 through 12 holes in his opening round on Monday, but two birdies and five pars coming in gave him an even-par round of 71. A 74 (+3) in round two put him at +3 for the tournament with a 145 and in a tie for 11th place.
Junior Pelayo Sol finished T17 at +5. After an opening round 77, Sol improved by seven shots en route to firing a closing 70 (-1) that included three birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Junior Oriol Fort finished with a 36 hole total of 155 (+13) that put him in a tie for 36th.
Next up, men's golf will host the 2023 Cateechee Cup at Cateechee Golf Club in Hartwell, GA on April 3-4.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
