10
STARKVILLE, MS – The final score does not reflect it, but the 2016 playing of the Heritage Cup between the PGA Golf Management Program of Mississippi State and Sam Houston State was a tightly contested event. The Bulldogs were able to secure their seventh consecutive victory in the annual matches, with a final tally of 14.5 – 7.5.
The host team rallied around Director, Jeff Adkerson, as he made known to the team shortly prior to the event, that this would be his final competitive event in his golfing career, shortened by injury. They responded early by jumping out to a 4.5 – 1.5 lead in the morning Foursomes matches. The host team is able to select which order the formats would be played, and team captains Jeff Adkerson and Adam Scott determined Foursomes early would benefit the Bulldogs. The first points on the board came from the fourth match out, as Robbie Fields and Eric Voss, the “2-5-6 Mafia”, made their presence felt with a convincing 5 & 4 victory in both players’ first match in Heritage Cup play.
Good vibes continued into the afternoon Four-Ball matches, as the first three matches out were wrapped in Maroon & White. Soph-
omore Brandon O'Kray and junior Cory Berg were able to bounce-back from their defeat
Past Winners
2016 (@ MSU)
2015 (@SHSU)
2014 (@MSU)
2013 (@SHSU)
2012 (@MSU)
2011 (@SHSU)
2010 (@MSU)
2009 (@SHSU)
2008 (@MSU)
MSU Wins 7th Consecutive Heritage Cup
in Foursomes to come away with a 3 & 2 victory that pushed the afternoon session to another 4.5 – 1.5 win for the Bulldogs. At the conclusion of Day 1, Mississippi State led Sam Houston 9 – 3, a strong lead, but nothing to take for granted.
Sunday presented an absolutely perfect day to conclude the Heritage Cup, sunny and 75 degrees was the high. In an attempt to apply some pressure and flip the matches, Sam Houston State sent out its upperclassmen early, and were able to secure 3.5 points in the first four matches, pushing the totals to 10.5 – 6.5 Bulldogs. However, the comeback attempt wasn’t enough, as the depth of the home team was able to prevail.
However, the Singles rally was halted by junior, Sally Morgan. Down 3 thru 6 holes, Sally jarred a birdie putt on the par 5 seventh and never looked back, securing her match on the 17th green, 3 & 1. Sally and Eric Voss were the only two students to go 3-0 for the weekend, for either team.
The Heritage Cup is the annual match play event alternately hosted by Mississippi State and Sam Houston State PGA Golf Management Programs. Founded in 2008, Mississippi State now owns an 7-1-1 record in the event, never having lost in Starkville.
Team (back; L-R): Eric Voss (Jr.), Robbie Fields (So.), Carson Willis (So.),
Brandon O'Kray (So.), Cory Berg (Jr.), Keifer Clary (Jr.), Garrett Bernhardt (Jr.), Shelby Tucci (So.), Sally Morgan (Jr.), Hayden Lewis (Jr.)