2018-19 WOMEN'S GOLF FALL SCHEDULE
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The 2018 fall schedule for the Tennessee Tech women's golf was officially released Tuesday afternoon by head coach Polk Brown. Five events highlight the upcoming semester for the Golden Eagles, including two events different from past seasons.
For the third time in four years, Tech will begin the fall with a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for the GolfWeek Program Challenge. Hosted by GolfWeek at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, the three-day event running from Sept. 9-11 represents the largest collegiate golf tournament in the country, boasting anywhere from 35-45 teams.
"Just like with the guys, we'll return to GolfWeek's event to start the year," Brown said. "Caledonia is one of the best courses that I've ever seen. It's a treat for the women to play there at the beginning of the year. The event always has a great field and the largest field in the country, which is a cool experience in itself."
Another three tournament follows for the Golden Eagles as they return to the Chris Bannister Fall Classic in Gadsden, Ala. for the third straight year. Scheduled from Sept. 23-25 at Silver Lakes Golf Course (part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail), Ohio Valley Conference rival Jacksonville State will once again play host.
"We've been to Jacksonville State's tournament the last several years and it's great prep for conference," Brown explained. "I know it's early in the season, but to play at the same type of course that they'll play during conference that early is a good way to test them."
An October 1-2 trip to the Starmount Fall Classic awaits the Tech squad next, an event hosted by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Taking place at the Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Golden Eagles return to a tournament with some good history behind them.
"Having won that event a couple of years ago and Hollee [Sadler] winning as an individual, we have some good memories out there," Brown said. "It's another fantastic place to pull out the clubs and swing and Janell [Howland] puts on a great tournament every year. I really love the course. I think it sets up perfectly for us and I know the women enjoy it as well."
A first for the Golden Eagles in 2018 will be a trip down to Monroe, La. for the Fred Marx Invitational. Hosted by the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), the two-day tournament will run from Oct. 15-16 at Bayou DeSiard Country Club.
"We haven't been to Louisiana before, but we've been looking to take part in this event for a few years now and were fortunate enough to get the invite," Brown explained. "That will be complete new across the board for us, which is always exciting."
Rounding out the fall slate for the women's squad is another tournament hosted by an OVC rival, Tennessee State. Tech will head down the road to Nashville for the TSU Collegiate Invitational from Oct. 29-30, competing at McCabe Golf Course in an event featuring a different twist.
"TSU's event will have a unique format," Brown said. "All of the members of our team will be playing together as opposed to with women from other teams. Coach [Carla] Hazelwood and myself will get to work with the women as a group as opposed to sifting through each player individually throughout the tournament. It will be interesting to see how it goes, but I think it will be exciting at the same time.
"It's a good schedule for the women. I think with the first tournament coming about 10 days after school starts will make it interesting to see where everyone stands when they come back from summer break. They'll need to be ready to get after it straight away, but we're excited to kick off another season and get going."
Photo by Thomas Corhern
