Kentucky men’s golf didn’t have to travel far for the second annual Cullan Brown Collegiate, making a short trip across the city to Lexington Country Club to host a competition that held meaning far beyond the scorecard.
The tournament was named in honor of the late Cullan Brown, a member of the Kentucky men’s golf team from 2018-20 and selected to the 2019 All-SEC Freshman Team.
Cullan Brown, a Kentucky native from Eddyville, joined the Men’s golf team in 2018. He passed away in 2020 due to Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
To begin the event, sophomore Cathryn Brown, Cullan’s younger sister and a member of the Kentucky women’s golf team, delivered the honorary opening tee shot.
“This is something bigger than myself and bigger than this team, and it’s just something that I can do to honor my brother’s memory,” Brown said.
Cullan Brown’s legacy continues to inspire those who knew him best, including his sister, who now carries his memory every time she tees off.
“I think it’s just his guidance that he gave me. I wouldn’t be playing this game without him. He was my route to Kentucky, and I tell people all the time that I came to Kentucky to finish what he didn’t get to,” Brown said.
As the Wildcats looked to defend home territory, they came out with a strong start.
In Round 1, freshman Cole Stockard delivered an impressive score of 5-under-par (66).
Cameron Phillips and Jacob Settles also ended Round 1 with scores under par. Phillips posted a 69, while Settles carded a 68.
Kentucky concluded Round 1 with a score of 276 (-8).
The Cats jumped right into Round 2, as Day 1 was scheduled for 36 holes of play, but due to darkness, half of Round 2 was pushed back to the second day.
The Wildcats began Day 2 scattered around the final four holes and quickly continued into the final round.
However, due to continuing weather conditions overnight and into the morning hours, mushy and rainy conditions caused a halt of play 54 minutes into the final day.
The tournament was eventually declared complete without even starting Round 3, giving Kentucky a second-place finish behind Mississippi State by one stroke.
For Stockard, competing on familiar grounds in front of family and fans made the moment even more meaningful.
“It feels great to come out to our home course and play it. It’s just so exciting to wear blue out here and see all the UK supporters out here,” he said.
Individual results also declared Stockard the individual winner after going 6-under-par, narrowing second place by a single stroke.
“I just told myself it’s going to be hard for everyone, so I just kind of kept pushing through for the ring,” Stockard said.
The Wildcats will head to Wilmington, North Carolina, to compete in the 2025 Williams Cup at the Eagle Point Golf Club on Oct. 19-21.