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CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Union University men's golf team broke six program records, two team records, and three individual records, at the Darrell Foreman Invitational. Despite the record-breaking performances, Union finished fifth in the event at 39-under-par. The tournament was hosted by Delta State University at the Cleveland Country Club and featured 10 teams with 58 golfers. 

Union freshman JJ Zimmer finished second in the event with a 54-hole 197 (-19). He finished one shot behind the medalist, Alessio Graziani of Mississippi Gulf Coast CC. The two were tied for first place after the second round. Zimmer shot 66 in the first round, 63 in the second round, and 68 in the final round. The 63 was just one stroke shy of tying the Union record for 18 holes and also one shot off way from tying the course record. He was named all-tournament.

Two of the individual records that fell in the event included Zimmer's play. He posted a 36-hole score of 129, breaking the old mark of 130 held by Brett Barry. He also set the 54-hole record with 197, passing the old record of 206 by Stephen Hammond. 

In an odd occurrence, two other Union Bulldogs also broke the 54-hole record along with Zimmer. And even more interesting, they are all freshmen at Union. Timothy Pinkston finished 10th with a 203 (66, 68, 69) and Gray Campbell finished 13th with a 204 (70, 65, 69). Pinkston played this event as an individual.

As a team, the Bulldogs set the 18-hole record with a second-round 264, breaking the old mark of 270 in 2012 at the same course. The Bulldogs also bested the old 54-hole record by 38 strokes, setting the new mark at 825. Union missed the 36-hole record of 542 by just five strokes. 

Union head coach Ryan  Chandler said, ""It is remarkable what took place in the tournament this week. Many collegiate golf records were broken including a few in our own program history. It was incredible to watch. I am thankful that we were able to have our part in such good play this week. Our guys continue to push each other on a daily basis. They care for each other, believe in each other, and they trust each other to do their jobs individually. They are a special group, and they are putting their stamp on our program. I am extremely proud of what they are accomplishing, but we are committed to a lack of complacency. We will continue to work hard towards our goals and be thankful for the achievements God allows us."

Union's team posted a three-round total of 825, shooting 283 in the first round, 264 in the second round, and 278 in the final round. Central Alabama CC won the event with a 797, 67-under-par performance, including a record-setting 259 in the first round. The winners added a pair of 269's in the second and third rounds. Delta State finished second (-60), Mississippi Gulf Coast third (-45), and Shorter fourth (-42). Union finished ahead of Mississippi College, Meridian CC, Northeast Mississippi CC, Arkansas-Monticello, and Itawamba CC. 

Union's team included Zimmer's runner-up finish and Campbell's 13th place finish. Trey Tidwell finished 24th (74, 65, 70-209), Blake Wolfe finished 38th (73, 71, 71-215), and Garrett McCraw finished 55th (76, 76, 74-226). 

Union had three individuals play in the tournament including Pinkston's 10th finish. Logan Montgomery finished 46th (78, 65, 77-220) and Anders Rider finished 53rd (74, 80, 70-224). 

Up next for the Bulldogs will be the UT Martin Invitational, played in Jackson, Tennessee at the Jackson Country Club, Oct. 4-5. 

-UNION-