Alabama
Bush Cup (vs. Army)
No. 21 Alabama Defeats Army West Point, 8-5, to Claim Fifth Annual Bush Cup
9/17/2019 2:38:00 PM | Men's Golf
Crimson Tide secures three points in four alternate play matches and five of the nine head-to-head contests
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 21-ranked Alabama men's golf team captured an 8-5 victory over Army West Point to secure the Fifth Annual Bush Cup, hosted at Shoal Creek Club on Tuesday.
The Crimson Tide claimed wins in three of the four groups during the morning's alternate shot round to take a 3-1 lead. After breaking for lunch, Alabama went on to earn 5 points by going 5-4 through the nine head-to-head match play contests.
In each event, the groups that were victorious received one point for their respective team. The first team that reached 7 points (total possible points is 13) won the event.
Alternate Play (Morning) Recap
- Alabama won three of the four matches of alternate ball play to take an early 3-1 lead after the morning rounds.
- Frankie Capan III and Thomas Ponder led the way for the Crimson Tide by winning their match 6&5 to give UA the first points of the day.
- Prescott Butler and Jake DeZoort won their match 4&3, while Wilson Furr and Simms Abney claimed a 1up victory to earn Alabama's other two points.
- Ben Fuller and Tyler Lipscomb was the only loss, falling 1up in their match
Match Play (Afternoon) Recap
- Alabama was victorious in five of the nine head-to-head contests to secure the trophy.
- Thomas Ponder was again dominant in his match, bringing home the first point of the afternoon for UA with his 6&5 victory. It was the second such win for Ponder on the day.
- Ben Fuller secured a 4&2 win in his match to give the Tide a second point, while Frankie Capan III and Simms Abney captured near simultaneous 3&2 wins to secure the title for Alabama.
- Davis Shore, who did not play in the morning alternate shot, collected a 1up victory in his match up to total the Tide's eight points.
- Wilson Furr (2up), Tyler Lipscomb (1up), Prescott Butler (2&1) and Jake DeZoort (2&1) all dropped their afternoon match to result in the final score.
About the Bush Cup
- The Bush Cup was established in 2015 to "promote collegiate sports and inspire athletes to strive for personal excellence as well as service to our country as exemplified by the life of President George H.W. Bush." President Bush was honored by the dedication of the event and stated, "Not only will the tournament bear my name, but more importantly it recognizes service to country ... I am proud to be part of what I am sure will be a hugely successful annual event."
- The inaugural Bush Cup was contested at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., between Army West Point and Yale, President Bush's alma mater. In 2016, Army West Point faced Northwestern at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois. Stanford hosted the Bush Cup in 2017 at the famed Olympic Club in San Francisco, while SMU welcomed the cadets last season at the Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas
Quotable
- "It's been an incredible experience for me and for our players," Alabama head coach Jay Seawell said. "I'm really proud for our guys and for everything that these last couple of days have stood for … to play for a great foundation (Bush Foundation) but also to get a chance to spend time and compete with the West Point boys. What a great opportunity it's been to meet them. It's been a great match and we'll learn a lot from today."
Next Up
- Following the Bush Cup, the Tide will travel to Olympia Fields Country Club just outside of Chicago, Ill., to compete in the challenging Olympia Fields Fighting Illini Invitational on Sept. 20-22
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaMGolf, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
