Tide Golf Earns First Season-Opening Tournament Win Since 2020

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The No. 16-ranked Alabama men’s golf team kicked off the season with a memorable performance in securing the team title at the Folds of Honor Collegiate in Grand Haven, Michigan.

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The Crimson Tide finished the three-day event with a 12-under par 840 (275-288-277) and seven strokes ahead of No. 9 Illinois.

Crimson Tide junior Dominic Clemons, of Cambridge, England, made a notable debut for Alabama, capturing medalist honors and becoming the first Crimson Tide golfer to win in his debut tournament since Justin Thomas at the Carpet Capital Collegiate in 2011.

Clemons also led the individual standings with a 9-under par 204 (69-66-69), in addition to recording three consecutive rounds in the 60s in his first tournament for the Crimson Tide.

The win is also Alabama’s first season-opening victory since The Blessings Invitational in 2020.

Tide senior Jones Free, of Selma, shot a career-best 7-under par 64 in the final round, the lowest single-round score of the tournament.

Despite a challenging second round where Free carded an 80, his final-round performance played a crucial role in clinching the championship for Alabama.

“It was a very special tournament, and you could feel that from the moment we arrived,” Alabama head coach Jay Seawell said. “Folds of Honor is an incredible organization, and to start our season with this perspective was meaningful for our team. I’m incredibly proud of the way our guys competed and overcame challenges, particularly in the final three holes of the second round.”

Crimson Tide golfers Jack Mitchell and Jonathan Griz also contributed to Alabama’s victory, each finishing tied for seventh place at 2-under par 211, with Mitchell posting rounds of 64-77-70, while Griz recorded 69-68-74.

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