By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a week away from the links, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team returns to action for the two-day Derek Dolenc Invitational Monday morning, traveling west to Madison, Ill., just outside of St. Louis, Mo., to Gateway National Golf Links.

DEREK DOLENC INVITATIONAL: 54 holes (36 Monday, 18 Tuesday), located at the par-71, 7,092-yard Gateway National Golf Links in Madison, Ill. 

GOLDEN EAGLE LINEUP: Competing for the Golden Eagles are junior A.J. Wilkerson, freshman Cameron Yeary, freshman Dabiney Dickenson, freshman Charles Seals and junior Alexander Riddle.

THE COMPETITION: The 15-team field consists of host SIUE, Bradley, Eastern Illinois, Missouri State, Mott CC, Murray State, New Orleans, Nicholls State, North Dakota, Northern Iowa, Omaha, South Dakota, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin and Western Illinois.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH BROWN: "We're looking to rebound from the GolfWeek Program Challenge. The guys are ready to get to SIUE's tournament. It's a really nice course and A.J. had a lot of success out there last year; it sets up really nice for him. The other four guys haven't been there before and will need to do their homework during the practice round. Gateway is more of a links-style course, with more trouble off the tee than at True Blue [Plantation]. It will be" difficult out there, but I'm excited to see the guys open up to the challenge and get back after it.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: A healthy mix of experience and youth will head to Madison, Ill. for the Golden Eagles, headlined by junior A.J. Wilkerson, the only Tech participant with experience at Gateway National Golf Links. Wilkerson led the Golden Eagles at the event last season, tying for eighth overall with a 68-68-76=212, his best career tournament.

Photo by Thomas Corhern