May 4, 2024
ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Earlier this week, the No. 11 Truett McConnell University men's golf team traveled to compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship at Barnsley Gardens Golf Club, where the Bears were crowned the back-to-back undisputed AAC Tournament Champions out of 13 teams with a final team score of 902 through three rounds.
"The men finished strong in this tournament thanks to our veteran squad," said head coach Steve Patton."It is hard to put a value on experience and chemistry and these men have that! What a way for our seniors to end their career with a conference championship and get a chance for one final ride in the National Championship. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of and watch the men's focus and intensity down the stretch."
TMU was also crowned the AAC Regular Season Champions for the second consecutive season, while featuring three Bears named to the All-Conference First Team and All-Tournament Team (Jackson Stone, Peyton Shedd, and Nate Thornton) and one Bear named to the All-Conference Second Team (Ty Cranford).
Thornton led the way for TMU with a stellar performance shooting a 77 in round one and a 71 in rounds two and three, proving capable of earning the individual champion honors against a deep field of 63 golfers, and the title of AAC Player of the Year. Head coach Patton was named the AAC Coach of the Year.
"I'm so happy for Nate winning AAC Player of the Year, and for Peyton and Jackson to join him on the first team all-conference, and Ty being recognized in the second team," Patton said. "These men have played well for us all year, and this was a great way to end the regular season. Vic Mincey, Cade Wood, and Vicente Smith were also a huge part of this victory by playing well and pushing each other to be their best."
Shedd followed closely behind, finishing in fourth place after shooting a 77 in round one and 73 in rounds two and three, while Stone finished in fifth /shooting a 75 in rounds one and two and a 76 in round three. Mincey was seen finishing tied for 16th (81, 75, 79), while Cranford finished tied for 23rd (84, 77, 78).
"We are looking forward to representing TMU in the National Championship and hope to ride this momentum into the tournament."
Up next, the Bears will travel to compete in the NAIA National Championship set for Tuesday, May 21-Friday, May 24 at the Dalton Golf and Country Club in Dalton, Ga.
