Tennessee Golf shares Pauma Valley Invitational crown with Georgia Tech in loaded field

The Tennessee Men’s golf team took home a massive win in what was a loaded field in Pauma Valley, California. The Vols shared the title as they tied perennial power Georgia Tech at 16-under for three days in California. Both the Vols and Jackets held off #3 Florida, #6 LSU and #2 Virginia in winning the Pauma Valley Invitational. Volquest caught up with members of the team following the successful tourney.

“Pretty awesome to get my first college win especially with Coach Webb on the bag all week,” Lance Simpson said, “I’m more excited for the team win this week with two freshman in the lineup. It shows how talented we are from the top to bottom and can’t wait to get after it the rest of this semester. We got a special team and wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Simpson took home the individual championship by tying with SMU’s William Sides with a three day total of 10-under. It was the another win of his college career.

“Impressed with Lance and the growth that he’s had in the last couple years here on Rocky Top,” Brennan Webb said. “Has proved that he’s one of the best players in the country is win against this field will enable him to solidify his spot PGA Tour U with a top 10 and go a long way to approving his ranking.”

Tennessee had two top-5 finishes in Puerto Rico and Los Cabo’s, Mexico before getting the win on Wednesday. The team has been trending well with US Amateur runner-up Jackson Herrington rounding into form before he plays in the Masters next month. He tallied a three day total of 3-under par as this team builds for future success.

“We can improve doing all the boring stuff and becoming more consistent,” Simpson said. “We have had a ton of growth since November as a squad. If we keep doing the same stuff, we will be competing for a national title here shortly.”

Senior Josh Hill is playing some of the best golf of his Tennessee career. He finished with the best score on the final day firing a 3-under 68. He rallied this week for a nice finish and while he wasn’t overly thrilled, he can see the results.

“I am a little disappointed with the week because i felt I played poorly but I think thats a positive as starting to get solid results on weeks where I am not happy with how I played,” Hill said. “I feel I’m playing some really good golf this season I just need to tidy up on some very small details to turn it from looking average into great for the important part of the year.”