Georgia Tech senior Christo Lamprecht emerged as the individual leader at the Olympia Fields Country Club/Fighting Illini Invitational after two rounds of play. Lamprecht’s impressive performance, which included three birdies in his final five holes, resulted in a 4-under-par 66 and a total score of 9-under-par 131. Despite his outstanding showing, the tournament’s final round was canceled due to inclement weather, ultimately giving Lamprecht the victory.
Maxwell Ford of North Carolina finished one stroke behind Lamprecht, securing second place with a total score of 8-under-par 132. The cancellation of the final round also affected the team standings, with Georgia Tech earning a third-place finish at 3-under-par 557. The top-ranked North Carolina team claimed the championship with a score of 10-under-par 560, while Texas finished second at 4-under-par 566.
Bartley Forrester, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, achieved his seventh career top-10 finish, tying for eighth place with a score of 2-under-par 138. In his college debut, freshman Kale Fontenot from Lafayette, Louisiana, finished tied for 30th at 3-over-par 143. Senior Aidan Kramer from Oviedo, Florida, tied for 42nd at 145 (+5), and freshman Carson Kim from Yorba Linda, California, concluded the tournament in 80th place at 157 (+17).
Apart from individual achievements, the tournament showcased a competitive field of teams. Arizona State, ranked second, finished fourth at even-par 560, while Alabama remained in fifth place at 561 (+1). Florida State, Arizona, Baylor, Florida, and Illinois rounded out the top 10 in the 15-team field.
The cancellation of the final round was a disappointment for players and fans alike, but Lamprecht’s remarkable performance over the first two rounds solidified his victory. The Georgia Tech golf team will return to action on October 2-3 at the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Olympia Fields Country Club/Fighting Illini Invitational is a prestigious event in college golf, and the Yellow Jackets were pleased to participate for the second time. The tournament took place at the Olympia Fields Country Club’s North course, known for its challenging par-70 layout and 7,310-yard length. The event featured 15 teams, including some of the top-ranked programs in the country, such as Alabama, Arizona State, and Florida State.
The cancellation of the final round was unfortunate, considering the high level of competition and the previous success of participating teams. It is worth noting that the majority of the teams in the tournament were ranked or received votes in the first Golf Coaches Association of America poll. Additionally, all 15 teams competed in the 2023 NCAA regionals, with 11 of them advancing to the NCAA Championship and seven reaching match play.
The Georgia Tech golf team is in its 29th year under head coach Bruce Heppler. Heppler has led the team to 72 tournament victories and 19 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships during his tenure. The Yellow Jackets have also made 33 appearances in the NCAA Championship and have been national runners-up five times.
Support for Georgia Tech Athletics and the golf program is provided through the Alexander-Tharpe Fund, which offers scholarships, operations, and facilities support for student-athletes. The fund aims to develop Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and enable the Yellow Jackets to compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics.
To learn more about supporting the Georgia Tech golf program and other athletic initiatives, visit the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund page on the Alexander-Tharpe Fund website. Contributions to this fund directly benefit Georgia Tech student-athletes, helping them pursue their goals in academics and athletics.
The Georgia Tech golf program encourages fans and supporters to stay updated on team news and events through their social media channels. Fans can like the team’s Facebook page, follow them on Twitter (@GTGolf), and connect on Instagram. For additional information about Tech golf, visit the official website at Ramblinwreck.com.