FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Sept. 23, 2012) – A pair of ETSU freshmen golfers posted strong finishes in the final round of the Mason Rudolph Championship on Sunday afternoon at the Vanderbilt Legends Club.

Chris Hickman (Centreville, Md.) recorded his lowest round in his young Buccaneer career by carding a 2-under-par 69, while Gudmundur Kristjansson (Reykjavik, Iceland) moved up 14 spots after shooting an even-par 71. Overall, Kristjansson finished in a tie for 28th after registering a 6-over 219 (80-68-71), while Hickman (74-79-69) and fellow freshman teammate Adrian Meronk (Wroclaw, Poland) tied for 40th with a three-round score of 9-over 222. Meronk carded a 71 and 78 in the first two rounds, before generating a 2-over-par 73 on Sunday.

As a team, ETSU totaled its lowest round of the tournament Sunday as the Blue and Gold shot a 3-over 287; however, the Bucs finished 11th overall with a score of 883 (296-300-287).

Vanderbilt ran away with the team title after cruising to a nine shot win over No. 25 Oklahoma. The host Commodores completed the tournament at 7-under 845 (286-278-281) and were the only team to finish play below par.

Georgia State’s Jonathan Grey outlasted Vanderbilt’s Hunter Stewart for the individual championship. Grey – who entered the final round in second – beat Stewart by birdying the 522-yard, par-5 18 to end the tournament at 7-under 206 (69-67-70).

The Bucs are now off until Friday, Oct. 12 when ETSU makes the short trek to Jonesborough for the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate at Blackthorn Club.    

For more information on Buccaneer men’s golf, visit ETSUBucs.com.