RAIDERS OVERCOME HARSH CONDITIONS TO CAPTURE TEAM TITLE AT PELLISSIPPI STATE INVITATIONAL

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Roane State men's golf relied on resilience, preparation, and mental toughness to capture the team title at the Pellissippi State Invitational, overcoming rapidly changing weather conditions at Willow Creek Golf Course on March 16–17.

The tournament was shortened to 27 holes after snow halted play during the opening round, but the Raiders returned Tuesday to secure a three-shot victory over the field.

Head coach Chris Griffin said the performance reflected the team's ability to handle adversity in a sport where conditions can shift quickly and test a player's focus.

"Spring golf weather is always changing," Griffin said. "What we saw was survival of the fittest mentally."

The opening round featured a dramatic swing in conditions, beginning with cold and wind before transitioning into rain, sleet, and eventually snow, forcing officials to suspend play. When competition resumed the following day, temperatures remained low, but Griffin said his team responded with composure and determination.

"They came back ready to play and focused on being the mentally strongest team on the course," Giffin added.

Freshman Andersen House led the Raiders, tying for medalist honors at 1-over-par (109) across the shortened event. Griffin credited House's growth and mindset as key factors in his performance, noting that the freshman has developed a stronger internal approach to competition.

"Andersen really showed what he can do when things get tough," Griffin said. "He was mentally ready and did a fantastic job."

House's development has extended beyond the course, as he recently earned President's List honors in the classroom. Griffin said that academic confidence has translated into his approach to golf, particularly in learning to remain patient and supportive of himself during competition.

"He's learning to be his own biggest fan out there," Griffin said. "Golf can be isolating, and if you're not your biggest fan, it gets tough."

Collin Keino added another strong finish for Roane State, tying for third at 3-over-par (111) and continuing a consistent stretch that has seen him place in the top four in each of his last four tournaments. Griffin described Keino as one of the program's most reliable competitors, combining steady play with a high level of focus.

"Collin is an elite student-athlete," Griffin said. "He's been fourth, second, second, and now tied for third, so he's just very consistent every time he tees it up."

The Raiders' performance also reflects a broader emphasis on preparation, including the integration of sports psychology and performance training into the program.

For the past 18 months, University of Tennessee graduate assistant Hunter VanMeter has worked as an assistant coach on the men's golf team, helping players develop strategies to manage the mental demands of college golf.

"We're trying to use all our resources to get these guys ready," Griffin said. "That includes sports psychology, nutrition, and understanding how demanding a full day on the course can be."

Griffin said the combination of mental training, strong team chemistry, and individual growth has positioned the Raiders for continued success as the spring season progresses. The team has shown steady improvement across multiple events, building confidence against challenging competition and conditions.

With five tournaments remaining before postseason play, Roane State will look to build on its momentum and continue developing the consistency needed for a strong finish.

"We hope to build off this," Griffin said. "The guys are starting to see the benefits of all the work they've put in, and we're excited about what's ahead."