The Tennessee State University Tigers opened up the 2021 fall season with a win at the 36th Annual HBCU Golf Invitational presented by the National Black College Hall of Fame and Farmers Insurance.

Held at Summer Grove Golf Course in Newnan, GA, a total of 15 teams were in attendance with nine Division 1 Men's Golf Teams. The two-day 36-hole tournament is hosted by the Black College Golf Coaches Association.

TSU opened round 1 paired with Alabama A&M, Texas Southern, and North Carolina Central. Lead by the steady play of junior Sebert Walker's opening 73 and senior Mikus Ming's 74, they were tied with Texas Southern and three back of Alabama State and trailed Florida A&M by four. 

Junior Kamren James, who shot a 4 over 76 in round 1, started his second round off with a birdie and went to 3 under par on his first 7 holes. Carding only one bogey on the day, James finished his round by hitting 17 greens in regulation and holding on to a four under 68 to finish in third place in the event. 

" I just kept telling myself every stroke counts, and tried not to take any shot for granted," said James. 

Ming had a few set backs on day two said, " I just had trust in my teammates they would come through for us based on our preparation leading up to the tournament."

While the consistent play of Walker who tied for fourth in the field with an even par 72 on the day, and James's 68, it was the closing holes by juniors Lane Hooper and Allen Stokes which sealed the deal. Stokes managed to birdie his last hole and Hooper played his last three holes at 2 under to both post a 75 and help the team overtake Alabama State by two shots for the title. 

"I had a feeling it was going to come down to just a few strokes as the day went on," said Coach Parrish McGrath. " I told them as we were finishing each round I was proud of their efforts and play and hopefully we were runners-up, but from what I heard ASU had a few real low rounds and already had a three shot lead on us to start the day." As the team was finishing lunch they started getting texts from teammates back home that we had won. " I found out we had won about 20 minutes before the team did, I was just waiting for them to finish their lunch and make their way down to the scoreboard."

TSU's next stop is in Jackson, TN at the Grover Page Classic hosted by UT Martin.