LOXLEY, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's golf team is set to conclude the fall campaign when it plays host to the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational on Saturday and Sunday.
The fourth annual edition of the event will get underway at 8:30 a.m. (CDT) Saturday at the Steelwood Country Club, and conclude with Sunday's final round that is slated to tee off at 7:40 a.m.
Playing for the Jaguars this weekend will be Yannick Schütz, Rasmus Karlsson, Jacob LeCroy, Jordan Plunkett and Mathias Lorentzen, with the trio of Dawson Atkinson, Jacob Hatter and Kyle Robinson participating as individuals.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Event (host): Steelwood Collegiate Invitational (South Alabama)
Dates: 10/26-27 (Saturday-Sunday)
Format: 36 holes Saturday, 18 holes Sunday
Start times: 8:30 a.m. (CDT) shotgun start Saturday; 7:40 a.m. start from split tees Sunday
Course: Steelwood Country Club (par 72, 7,096 yds)
Live scoring: http://results.golfstat.com//public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=participants&tid=18990
THE FIELD (13)
Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Davidson, Indiana, Kennesaw State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Navy, North Alabama, Rice, Richmond, South Alabama, Wofford
THE JAGUAR LINEUP
-Yannick Schütz (Sr., Friolzheim, Germany; 8 rds, 74.25 avg, 2 T20s, 67 low 18, 215 low 54, 2 rds =/- par)
-Rasmus Karlsson (Sr., Fiskars, Finland; 8 rds, 74.50 avg, 1 T10, 69 low 18, 219 low 54, 2 rds =/- par)
-Jacob LeCroy (Fr., Anniston, Ala.; 8 rds, 74.25 avg, 2 T20s, 71 low 18, 219 low 54, 3 rds =/- par)
-Jordan Plunkett (So., Sterrett, Ala; 6 rds, 76.83 avg, 1 T20, 71 low 18, 220, low 54, 1 rd =/- par)
-Matthias Lorentzen (Jr., Hvidovre, Denmark; 5 rds, 76.00 avg, 1 T20, 72 low 18, 235 low 54, 1 rd =/- par)
-*Dawson Atkinson (So., Trussville, Ala.; 6 rds, 76.50 avg, 1 T20, 72 low 18, 227 low 54, 1 rd =/- par)
-*Jacob Hatter (So., Alpharetta, Ga.; 2 rds, 78.50 avg, 75 low 18)
-*Kyle Robinson (Jr., Fayetteville, Ark.; 5 rds, 77.20 avg, 1 T20, 73 low 18, 227 low 54, 1 rd =/- par)
*denotes competing as an individual
TEE SHOTS
-This marks the fourth year in a row that the Jaguars will conclude the fall segment of the schedule playing host to the event.
-South has finished among the top half of the field in each of first three editions of the tournament.
-The Jags have posted a pair of top-five finishes in their first three outings this season.
-Their 289 team score in the final round of the Intercollegiate at the Grove last time out was the best recorded by the Jags since the season-opening Lone Star Invitational.
-Both Lorentzen and Schütz were among the top 20 individually at Middle Tennessee's tournament — the former tied for 13th place, the latter 17th — after each shot par or better over the final 18 holes.
-Schütz has finished in the top 15 of the individual standings each of the last two years at the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational, highlighted by shooting par or better in two of three rounds last fall.
-Karlsson will be competing at the event for the fourth season in a row, having broken par in the second round twice in his first three appearances.
-LeCroy, who has placed in the top 20 twice thus far his first year in the program, joins Schütz and Karlsson as the only individuals in the Jaguar lineup for all four events this fall.
-After sitting out at Middle Tennessee, Plunkett — who tied for 13th at the Lone Star Invitational — rejoins the lineup.
-Both Atkinson and Robinson recorded top-20 results at South Dakota State's Prairie Club Invitational the final week of September.
THEY SAID IT
Head coach Ben Hannan
On the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational: "The Steelwood Collegiate Invitational, in only its fourth year, has fast become a great tournament with a consistent field and several top-ranked teams participating over the years. The tournament has grown into what it is thanks to the efforts of the Steelwood Country Club and its incredible membership. In addition, the college Am — which is sponsored this year by GMC — receives tremendous support from the club as well as several local businesses; it's a special college event because the proceeds raised from the college Am go directly to local and regional charities and an educational scholarship at South Alabama. What the club and its tournament is doing is very special, and as the host school we're honored to be a part of it."
On what the team has been working on with nearly three weeks to prepare for the event: "Following the Middle Tennessee tournament we had the time, so — in addition to daily practice — we were able to run a competitive team qualifier over several rounds. Practice has been a combination of qualifying rounds, individual work and some block work taking advantage of our training center. Knowing the golf course and playing there before certainly helps with preparation."
On the goals for the final tournament of the fall: "It's always good if you can close the fall on a high note, to play well here would certainly be our desire and our expectation. It's close to home and we know a lot of the folks out there are pulling for us. We are definitely capable of competing if we stay in the process and do our job. As always, the goal is to control what we can and pour ourselves into the shot in front of us. If this group can stay patient throughout and committed to the process, good results will take care of themselves."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Join the Birdie Club — the men's golf specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Birdie Club go directly to support the South Alabama men's golf program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/birdieclub.
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