2019-20 MEN'S GOLF FALL SCHEDULE
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men's golf head coach Polk Brown released the team's fall slate for 2019, a schedule featuring five events all familiar to the program.
Starting the fall for the Golden Eagles is the EKU Intercollegiate running from Sept. 14-15 at the University Club at Arlington. Hosted by Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Kentucky, Tech tied for 10th among a field of 16 teams back in the 2017 edition of the event.
"We'll kick things off this semester at Eastern Kentucky," Brown said. "We didn't play in this event this past year, but the year before we did. We always enjoy going up to Arlington. It's a great course and a very scoreable course. It'll give the guys an opportunity to hopefully put together some low rounds to start off the season and get the confidence and momentum going."
Next up for the Tech squad is a return trip to the SIUE Derek Dolenc Invitational. Hosted by another OVC rival, SIUE, the event will take place at Gateway National Golf Links in Madison, Ill. from Sept. 23-24. It marks Tech's fourth trip to the tournament in the past five years.
"We've been at SIUE's event several years now," Brown continued. "Derek does a great job running that tournament. The course is very good and we look forward going back out there and competing in that event. We did fairly well last year."
As the year continues, the Golden Eagles keep the competition in state with a visit to The Grove for the Intercollegiate at the Grove. The three-day event, hosted by Middle Tennessee, is scheduled for Oct. 6-8 and will represent Tech's first time at The Grove since placing second in the Blue Raiders' tournament back in 2017.
"In the first week of October, we go to Middle Tennessee's event, which we went to a few years back," Brown explained. "We are fortunate to have the opportunity to go back and play at The Grove. As far as strength of the field goes, this will be arguably the strongest we play against all year. There are always a lot of good teams at this tournament and it should be a great challenge for the guys."
Week four of action presents one of Tech's most familiar events, the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate hosted by OVC and in-state foe Austin Peay. Running from Oct. 14-15, the tournament will take place at Greystone Golf Club in Dickson, Tenn. The Golden Eagles have taken part in the event in eight out of the past 10 years, placing as high as fourth.
"During fall break, we go back to Austin Peay's event," Brown said. "We always enjoy going to Greystone and Coach Wilson does a really good job of running that tournament."
Wrapping up the fall is the Pinetree Intercollegiate, Kennesaw State's two-day tournament at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw, Ga. Tech will head south to compete from Oct. 21-22, the team's first time back in the event's field since 2015.
"Last event of the semester, we go to Kennesaw State and Pinetree Country Club," Brown added. "We played in that event about three to four years ago and the guys had nothing but great things to say about the course and the tournament.
"Overall, I believe the fall lines up to present a good challenge for the guys. I know there are some good tests that should help them improve as we head into the Christmas break and spring season. I'm excited to get the season going and get back to action."
Photo by Daniel Hooker