Thomas Sharkey played for the Eagles from 2009-11.
Men’s Golf Names Individual Tournament after Thomas Sharkey
1/19/2021 3:18:00 PM | Men's Golf
This year’s tournament is scheduled for Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the GS Golf Course.
STATESBORO – Georgia Southern men's golf coach Carter Collins announced today that the program has renamed its annual individual collegiate tournament at Georgia Southern University Golf Course the Thomas Sharkey Individual Collegiate.
Sharkey played for the Eagles from 2009-11 and was tragically killed in a house fire in his native Scotland in the summer of 2011. The Georgia Southern golf program has a memorial stone dedicated to him at its practice facility, and Sharkey's locker has his name in it in memory of him.
"Naming this event after Thomas is an honor for us and a great way for us to celebrate one of our alumni," said Collins. "Thomas was an incredible person, teammate and competitor. He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives strong in our program."
After redshirting the 2009-10 season, Sharkey played in six events in the 2010-11 campaign. His best finish came when he placed 32nd in a loaded field in the 2011 Schenkel Invitational.
"Sharkey had one of the most passionate personalities I have ever come across," said Logan Blondell, who played with Sharkey from 2009-11. "His passion showed in all facets of his life but especially his golf game and his friendships. He took great pride in both, pushing himself and everyone around him to be their best. Whether it was winning a silly competition or winning conference championships, it was all the same for Sharkey. I imagine him, in his often thick Scottish accent, saying, 'Give it all you have or what's the point?' All these years later, I still can't believe he is gone, but there is no doubt that he left a strong legacy with everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him."
This year's event is scheduled for Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the Georgia Southern University course. Georgia Southern has hosted the individual tournament since 2017.
From the Archives: The Tale of the 2014 Schenkel
Sharkey played for the Eagles from 2009-11 and was tragically killed in a house fire in his native Scotland in the summer of 2011. The Georgia Southern golf program has a memorial stone dedicated to him at its practice facility, and Sharkey's locker has his name in it in memory of him.
"Naming this event after Thomas is an honor for us and a great way for us to celebrate one of our alumni," said Collins. "Thomas was an incredible person, teammate and competitor. He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives strong in our program."
After redshirting the 2009-10 season, Sharkey played in six events in the 2010-11 campaign. His best finish came when he placed 32nd in a loaded field in the 2011 Schenkel Invitational.
"Sharkey had one of the most passionate personalities I have ever come across," said Logan Blondell, who played with Sharkey from 2009-11. "His passion showed in all facets of his life but especially his golf game and his friendships. He took great pride in both, pushing himself and everyone around him to be their best. Whether it was winning a silly competition or winning conference championships, it was all the same for Sharkey. I imagine him, in his often thick Scottish accent, saying, 'Give it all you have or what's the point?' All these years later, I still can't believe he is gone, but there is no doubt that he left a strong legacy with everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him."
This year's event is scheduled for Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the Georgia Southern University course. Georgia Southern has hosted the individual tournament since 2017.
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