NAPLES, Fla. — Buoyed by a closing round of 2-under-par from Connor Howe, Georgia Tech held off challenges from Florida and Wake Forest Tuesday to capture an eight-stroke victory at The Calusa Cup.
Former North Hall standout Bartley Forrester, despite a closing round of 75, finished with a share of medalist honors for the second time in his career.
In capturing its fourth tournament victory of the 2021-22 year, this edition of the Yellow Jackets becomes the 13th to win four or more tournaments in one year, nine of those under head coach Bruce Heppler. The victory is the 69th for Tech in 26-plus years under the Hall of Fame coach.
Tech, ranked 11th in the nation, beat a small, but heavyweight field that included the No. 16 Gators, the No. 17 Demon Deacons, No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 8 Georgia, as well as top-25 teams Purdue and Clemson.
Forrester, who also was the co-medalist at the 2020 Puerto Rico Classic his freshman year, led four Yellow Jackets finishing among the top 15 individuals. Sophomore Christo Lamprecht tied for fourth for his fifth top-10 finish in nine events this year, while senior Ben Smith tied for 11th place and junior Connor Howe tied for 13th.
Tech returns to action April 22-25 in the 68th Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in Panama City, Fla.
TECH LINEUP – Facing a five-stroke deficit after 18 holes, Georgia Tech played a strong back nine in the completion of round 2 Tuesday morning to ascend to the lead alone, then played steady golf throughout the third and final round. Tech birdied 15 holes collectively in the back nine Tuesday morning after round 2 resumed. The Yellow Jackets Tech got birdies from Lamprecht, Forrester and Smith and an eagle from Howe at the par-5 18th hole to finish the round strong at 10-under-par (3-under-par 285 for the round) and take a three-stroke lead over Wake Forest.
The Jackets, holding on to a four-shot lead playing the final holes, repeated the feat in the closing round with birdies on the final hole from Howe, Smith, Lamprecht and Forrester to win going away. Tech posted a 2-over-par round of 290.
In capturing a share of his second collegiate victory, Forrester posted scores of 70-75 on Tuesday. The junior from Gainesville, Ga., completed 54 holes at 5-under-par 211. Lamprecht, a sophomore from George, South Africa, posted a pair of even-par 72s Tuesday to finish at 2-under-par 142, good to tie for fourth place.
Howe overcame an opening 78 to finish with rounds of 71-70. The junior from Ogden, Utah, recorded three birdies and a single bogey to pace the Yellow Jackets in the third round and tied for 13th place at 3-over-par 219. Smith, a senior from Novi, Mich., shot a pair of 73s and finished with a 2-over-par total of 218, tying for 11th place.
