Even without a team event this weekend, WVU Men’s Golf proved it will take any opportunity to improve this spring.
Four golfers, fifth year Trent Tipton, senior Will Stakel, junior Pierce Grieve, and freshman Harrison Thompson, competed in Georgia Southern’s Thomas Sharkey Individual Collegiate on Saturday and Sunday. It was the first of three individual-only tournaments with WVU participants this spring.
In three rounds across the two days, the four Mountaineers combined for a +28 weekend. Tipton performed best, shooting 75-68-75=218 for two-over-par and 14th place. His second round’s 68 ties for WVU’s second best round of 2023-2024.
Tipton was followed by Thompson’s 75-74-74=223 (+7) in 27th, Stakel’s 74-75-75=224 in 29th, and Grieve in 41st with an 81-74-72=227 (+11) weekend. Tipton and Grieve were the only WVU golfers to shoot at or under par in a round.
The Thomas Sharkey appearance comes just one week after WVU Golf’s return to the course for this spring. WVU tied for seventh place among 18 teams at The N.I.T. in Tucson, Ariz. on Monday and Tuesday, combining for 27-under-par.
No Mountaineer participants overlapped from the week’s two events, as WVU sent seniors Jackson Davenport and Oli Ménard, juniors Todd Duncan and Max Green, and sophomore Kaleb Wilson to Arizona. Wilson performed best, shooting 70-68-67=205 (-11) to tie for 15th place.
Despite the team at The N.I.T. performing significantly better than the Thomas Sharkey individuals, coach Sean Covich hinted that he plans to mix several golfers into his lineup as the season progresses.
“Getting the other guys tournament reps is very important, especially for true freshman Harrison Thompson,” Covich said. “Will Stakel and Pierce Grieve will get another opportunity soon. I’m excited to see how they will contribute to this team as the season rolls on.”
Covich also congratulated Trent Tipton for his successful weekend, calling his 68-stroke round impressive.
West Virginia will golf again as a team on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 at the Gators Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. The team will tee off at 8 a.m.
Photo from WVU Men’s Golf
