Perez shoots 65 to win MHU Invitational, Pioneers fall in playoff

Posted: Sep 17, 2019

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. --- Tusculum University's Jeffery Perez shot a final round 65 (-7) to finish with 137 (-7) to win medalist honors at the 2019 Mars Hill University Invitational, which was held this week at the par-72, 6,402-yard Johnson City Country Club.

Tusculum and Belmont Abbey tied for first-place honors as both finished with identical scores of 569. The Crusaders would prevail winning on the third playoff hole to claim the team crown.

Perez's 65 is tied for the second-lowest score in program history, matching the 65 posted by Brent Dyson at the 2002 Patton Intercollegiate. The TU record of 63 was shot by former All-American Brad Hawkins at the 2015 Pioneer Classic.

Perez won by three shots over runner-up Miles Ruff of King University while the Belmont Abbey duo of Jose Mejia and Madison Duffie tied for third place accolades at 141.

Tusculum's Bennett Noe tied for ninth place with 71-73=144, while the TU duo of Mark Healy and Noah Jones tied for 13^th place at 145. Sophomore Kyle Engelbert owned sole possession of 16^th place with his 74-72=146.

TU returns to action next week (Monday-Tuesday) as they compete at the King University Invitational in Bristol, Tennessee.

Team Results