Inverness front nine takes a toll on Vols at NCAA; Holmes in position to be All-American

TOLEDO, Ohio - For an hour or two Thursday, the number on the leader board next to the University of Tennessee was in red font, signifying a score of below par.

Now whenever the Vols reflect on what happened during the ensuing few hours, their faces may turn that same shade of red.

A never ending series of bad breaks on the second nine holes dashed the Vols aspirations of continuing their season into today's eight-team, match-play tournament at the NCAA tournament. After breaking even through the back nine, Tennessee accounted for seven bogeys and two double bogeys to drop out of contention with an 8-over-par 292 before ultimately finishing in 12th place at 23-over 875.

"Extremely disappointing," UT freshman Darren Renwick said. "It's great to be in the hunt, but it's very disappointing not getting there in the end."

Tennessee, which entered the day in ninth, finished six strokes behind Georgia, the final qualifier for the match play tournament that will determine the team national champion. The front nine, easily considered the more difficult side of the course at Inverness Club, caused much despair for the Vols over the past three days.

"The tough holes got us again," UT junior David Holmes said. "One little putt here or there could have made a difference for everybody. It always comes down to one or two shots every year."

Holmes bogeyed holes 6 and 7 to finish the round at 2-over 73. Still, his three-day score of 1-over 214 was good for 13th place, making the former West High School standout likely an All-American. Since Tennessee played earlier in the day than many teams, Holmes was forced to wait and hope no one would come through with a better score, which in turn would have positioned Holmes, along with a host of others at 1-over, outside of the top 15 All-American range.

Several golfers were unable to finish because of darkness, but are unlikely to catch Holmes.

"If I don't get it, it will be kind of disheartening because we barely missed match play," Holmes said.

Renwick and senior Chris Paisley recorded Tennessee's best round of the day at 72 to finish tied for 47th at 220. Robin Wingardh shot 76 to finish at 221. Garrick Porteous (75) finished at 234, but did not count toward the team's total.

Holmes said Wednesday that a solid final round from four players would likely be necessary for the Vols to qualify for the match-play tournament. For a moment, such a hope seemed possible - if not likely. Paisley, who struggled in the first two rounds, was 1-under at the turn, while Renwick had accounted for three birdies - just one fewer than he had all of Tuesday and Wednesday. But then along came that pesky front nine.

"We tried our best and I'm proud of our team," Tennessee coach Jim Kelson said. "They put forth a great effort. To finish 12th in the national championship, that's certainly nothing to be ashamed of."

Kelson loses only Paisley, who will soon graduate before returning to his native England, where he plans to play in a series of summer tournaments. An All SEC first-team selection, Paisley admittedly struggled this week.

"It's not how you imagine you'd finish," he said. "It's a shame, but it's been a great experience and I've loved every minute of it."

Notebook: Former Jefferson County star Jonathan Hodge of 18th-place Chattanooga shot 80 and finished tied for 121st at 229. Former Webb star Wes Roach of 14th-place Duke shot 79 and finished tied for 121st at 229.

Ryan Autullo is a freelance contributor