Feature story on Martin - 3/1/14

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Charlie Martin shot a 73 to garner fourth place, matching his best career finish, and Georgia Southern posted a team total of 285 to finish fifth in the final round of the Mason Rudolph Championship at Vanderbilt Legends South Course Sunday.

The Eagles' total today was the sixth-lowest round of the weekend, and they finished 16-over-par for the tournament, three back of Mercer (+13) and Louisville. Alabama (-5), ranked first in the country, posted a 12-under-par 272  today to run away with the title, and Vanderbilt (+4) finished second in its home event, which featured six top-50 teams.

Florida State's Jack Maguire (-10) backed up his 66 yesterday with another 66 today to take medalist honors by seven strokes over Vanderbilt's Ben Fogler (-3), who shot a 68 today. Robin Sciot-Siegrist (-3) of Louisville shot a 67 to move into a tie for second. 

Martin finished with a 2-under-par 211 for the tournament to lead the Eagles, and Scott Wolfes shot a 3-under-par 68 today to move from 26th into a tie for 12th. Hayden Anderson posted an even-par 71 to tie for 29th, while Henry Mabbett shot a 73 to tie for 39th. Will Evans posted an 81 today.

"Charlie had a great tournament, and he and Hayden finished their rounds really strong today," said Georgia Southern coach Larry Mays. "Scott had another great final round. We hung in there and put together our best round of the week, and it's a solid finish for us to wrap up the regular season."

Martin was 4-over through his first 15 holes before birdieing 16 and 18 to finish the round and solidify his fourth career top-5 finish, matching a fourth-place outing at the ODU/OBX Intercollegiate in the fall of 2012.

Wolfes birdied three of his first six holes and following a bogey on hole 10, ran off seven straight pars. The junior birdied the par-5 18th hole for his 68. Anderson was 3-over after 13 holes, but the senior birdied three of his last five coming in. 

Mabbett played the front nine 1-over before posting bogeys on 10 and 12. The sophomore improved to 2-over with a birdie on hole 14 and finished his round with four straight pars.

The Eagles capped the regular season with three consecutive top-5 outings, including a win in the Schenkel Invitational and a second-place outing at the FAU Slomin Center Invitational. 

Georgia Southern plays in its final Southern Conference Championships at National Golf Club in Pinehurst, N.C., April 20-22.

"We're hoping to ride this good play right into the postseason," said Mays.

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