2018-19 MEN'S GOLF FALL SCHEDULE
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men's golf head coach Polk Brown officially released the team's fall slate for 2018 Monday afternoon. The schedule presents five events, including two first-time events for the men's squad.
The Golden Eagles will kick off action Sunday, Sept. 9 through Tuesday, Sept. 11 at the GolfWeek Program Challenge in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Hosted by GolfWeek at True Blue Plantation, the event boasts a great opportunity for low scores right off the bat for the purple and gold.
"True Blue is a fantastic golf course and it'll be a great tournament to kick off the year," Brown said. "It's an open course where the guys will have plenty of opportunities to go out, make some birdies and get some numbers in the red early in the season. It's right after school starts, so we'll need the guys to come in firing on all cylinders. I know we're all excited for the opportunity to go back. Hopefully the weather will cooperate."
Week two of action presents a familiar event as Tech makes its return to the SIUE's Derek Dolenc Invitational at Gateway National Golf Club in Madison, Ill. The two-day event is scheduled to run from Sept. 16-17.
"It's been a year or two since we've been up there, but the course is outstanding and Derek puts on a great tournament," Brown explained. "We're looking forward to going back and competing in the Midwest."
As the year moves on and the calendar hits October, Tech will once again make a trip to Sapphire, N.C. and the Country Club of Sapphire Valley. Western Carolina will play host to the Hummingbird Intercollegiate from Oct. 1-2.
"Sapphire Valley is one of my favorite if not my favorite place that we've been to with the guys since I took over as head coach. It's just a beautiful, amazing golf course and I know the guys really enjoyed that tournament last year. It always has a great field and [Western Carolina head coach] Tim [Eckberg] does a great job with that event."
New to the schedule for the Golden Eagles is a trip to Duluth, Ga. and Berkeley Hills Country Club for Georgia State's Autotrader Collegiate Classic. Hosted from Oct. 15-16, the Tech men will get the opportunity to learn a new course and face different competition.
"We've tried to get in this event for a few years now and were fortunate enough to get an invite for this year," Brown said. "I've heard great things about Berkeley Hills and the event in general, so it will be a great opportunity for our guys during fall break."
Rounding out the fall is another new opportunity for the men's team, taking a trip to Turtle Point Golf Club in Kiawah Island, S.C. Running from Nov. 4-6, Charleston Southern will host the East Bay Deli Classic, a large event in another great setting.
"We've been to Kiawah a lot with the women, so to be able to go down there with the guys and compete will be fun," Brown said. "It's another very nice course and the field is typically 15 to 20 teams. It's a great way to end the semester. There should still be some nice weather in the beginning of November and that will be nice to enjoy.
"This is another solid fall slate for the guys. I believe it will be a good way to test them as we head into the Christmas break and the spring season. All-in-all, I'm excited for the fall and the challenges it will present for the guys when they get back here in town."
Photo by Thomas Corhern
