Photos courtesy of the Monroe Invitational
By Jeff Rahmlow | Monroe Invitational
Pittsford, N.Y. – A familiar face was crowned the 2019 Monroe Invitational champion on Saturday as Georgia Tech’s Andy Ogletree launched an even-par 70 to win in his fourth attempt by two strokes.
Ogletree tied for third place in 2018, finished solo seventh in 2017, and earned a tie for 60th place in his first appearance back in 2016. This week, he delivered rounds of 69, 71, 69, and 70 for a four-day total of 279 (-1).
Notre Dame junior Davis Chatfield and UNC Wilmington’s Segundo Oliva Pinto tied for second place at 1-over par 281. Koichiro Ishika of Arizona State, Charlie Nikitas of Miami (Ohio) and Ben Sigel of Kansas tied for fourth place at 283 (+3).
For Ogletree, the fourth try proved to be extra sweet after previously delivering strong performances in his other attempts at the MIC and coming up short. The Little Rock, Miss., native remarked that the success he had in past years kept him coming back, in addition to the relationships he built at the tournament. One such relationship belongs with MIC Tournament Director J.P. Kircher.
Said Ogletree, “The last two years I came within two strokes of winning so I told J.P. last year, I think I’m going to come back one more time – I’ve got to get this thing. I was thinking about that a lot today – it is really neat to finally do it.”
Ogletree blasts out of a bunker during the final round of the Monroe Invitational. The Tech senior finished the 2019 spring college season ranked among the nation’s top 20 players.
The 2019 champion cruised to an opening 33 on the front nine with birdies on No. 3 and No. 7, appearing to be in cruise control.
It was not until the par-5 12th that Ogletree faced some adversity. A lead that was at one point as large as five strokes dwindled to just one following a double bogey on the 12th and a bogey on the par-3 13th, dropping him to -1. Chatfield, who was in the second-to-last group, was even par until a bogey on the par-4 14th put him two shots back.
Chatfield was unable to keep the pressure on Ogletree, dropping his second consecutive stroke on the par-4 15th, allowing Ogletree to breathe a bit easier after carding a par of his own on the 14th. A birdie on the par-4 15th provided some cushion for the Yellow Jacket senior to finish the round.
Said Ogletree, “Obviously I felt a little nervous when I went from four ahead to one ahead after 12 and 13, but I just needed something to get me going again and after 15 I felt fine.”
Ogletree becomes the first Tech player to win a major amateur event since Chris Petefish captured the Azalea Invitational in 2017. The All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer finished the spring season ranked No 19 in the Golfstat rankings and is No. 144 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
ACC NETWORK – COMING AUG. 22
The ACC Network is a linear and digital platform dedicated to 24/7 coverage of ACC sports. It will exclusively televise approximately 450 live events each year, including approximately 40 football games (beginning with Georgia Tech’s 2019 season opener at Clemson on Aug. 29), as well as 150 men’s and women’s basketball contests.
Don’t get shut out! For more information and to learn if your cable/satellite/digital provider is committed to carrying the ACC Network, visit GetACCN.com. Georgia Tech fans whose cable/satellite/digital providers aren’t already committed to carrying the ACC Network are urged to contact their providers and ask for the ACC Network to be a part of their subscription.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH GOLF
Georgia Tech’s golf team is in its 25th year under head coach Bruce Heppler, winning 59 tournaments in his tenure. The Yellow Jackets have won 18 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made 29 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times. Connect with Georgia Tech Golf on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GTGolf) and Instagram. For more information on Tech golf, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
