Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Sunday, February 19
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Middle Tennessee
at
Puerto Rico Classic
Men's golf opens spring season Sunday
2/17/2017 7:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Competing in tough Puerto Rico Classic
MURFREESBORO – Coming off a strong fall season, the Middle Tennessee men's golf team will begin spring competition on Sunday in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The Blue Raiders will be one of 15 teams competing in the 25th annual Puerto Rico Classic that will be played on the Rio Mar Beach and Spa Resort's River Course (6,945 yards).
It will be a stern test for Middle Tennessee right out of the gate as 11 of the 15 teams are ranked in the top 50 nationally, including four in the top 25. The Blue Raiders are ranked 47th and will join Alabama (48), Clemson (22), Georgia (9), Georgia Tech (28), Maryland (87), NC State (50), North Carolina (17), Northwestern (39), Ohio State (65), Mississippi (15), Purdue (40), UNC Greensboro (100), Kentucky (42) and Virginia Tech (68).
"Going to Puerto Rico is a nice treat and we will enjoy the weather but it will be a very challenging test," said Head Coach Brennan Webb. "It will be a great measuring stick for us and will give us an idea of where we are on our journey to compete for national championships. This is a young but talented team so I look forward to seeing how we respond."
The Blue Raiders had two top five finishes in the fall, including a win at The Invitational at The Ocean Course. Freshman Ilari Saulo led the way with a 71.1 stroke average and a tournament victory at the Quail Valley Collegiate Invitational (67-65-71).
"We played well in the fall and were able to move from outside the top 130 all the way to inside the top 50," said Webb. "We brought in some new players and they meshed well with some of our veterans. We have a much tougher schedule this spring but we want to be tested against the best."
Webb will field a lineup in Puerto Rico of Saulo, Joey Savoie, Marcus Byrd, Chip Thomas and Hoyeong Kim.
Saulo enjoyed a great fall with eight of his 12 rounds at par or better, while Savoie was second on the team with a 72.1 stroke average and a top round of 67. Byrd, who was strong in qualifying, turned in two top five finishes in the fall to end with a 73.6 average.
Thomas had a 73.9 stroke average as a freshman and Kim played in just one tournament.
"We have to have faith in the process and what we have been working on," said Byrd. "Coach always tells us to not worry about the result but keep focusing on the small things. If you excel at the small things then the big things will come."
The 54-hole event begins Sunday with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. ET and will play 18 holes every day, concluding on Tuesday. Live scoring will be available on https://www.birdiefire.com/tournament/30842/.
It will be a stern test for Middle Tennessee right out of the gate as 11 of the 15 teams are ranked in the top 50 nationally, including four in the top 25. The Blue Raiders are ranked 47th and will join Alabama (48), Clemson (22), Georgia (9), Georgia Tech (28), Maryland (87), NC State (50), North Carolina (17), Northwestern (39), Ohio State (65), Mississippi (15), Purdue (40), UNC Greensboro (100), Kentucky (42) and Virginia Tech (68).
"Going to Puerto Rico is a nice treat and we will enjoy the weather but it will be a very challenging test," said Head Coach Brennan Webb. "It will be a great measuring stick for us and will give us an idea of where we are on our journey to compete for national championships. This is a young but talented team so I look forward to seeing how we respond."
The Blue Raiders had two top five finishes in the fall, including a win at The Invitational at The Ocean Course. Freshman Ilari Saulo led the way with a 71.1 stroke average and a tournament victory at the Quail Valley Collegiate Invitational (67-65-71).
"We played well in the fall and were able to move from outside the top 130 all the way to inside the top 50," said Webb. "We brought in some new players and they meshed well with some of our veterans. We have a much tougher schedule this spring but we want to be tested against the best."
Webb will field a lineup in Puerto Rico of Saulo, Joey Savoie, Marcus Byrd, Chip Thomas and Hoyeong Kim.
Saulo enjoyed a great fall with eight of his 12 rounds at par or better, while Savoie was second on the team with a 72.1 stroke average and a top round of 67. Byrd, who was strong in qualifying, turned in two top five finishes in the fall to end with a 73.6 average.
Thomas had a 73.9 stroke average as a freshman and Kim played in just one tournament.
"We have to have faith in the process and what we have been working on," said Byrd. "Coach always tells us to not worry about the result but keep focusing on the small things. If you excel at the small things then the big things will come."
The 54-hole event begins Sunday with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. ET and will play 18 holes every day, concluding on Tuesday. Live scoring will be available on https://www.birdiefire.com/tournament/30842/.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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