Hawaii among stops on men's golf schedule
8/4/2016 6:01:00 PM | Men's Golf
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston State men's golf team will play in seven different states, including a visit to Hawaii, during the upcoming 2016-17 season, head coach Brandt Kieschnick announced Thursday.
The Bearkats once again host the Bayou City Intercollegiate, along with Houston and Rice, as part of the squad's 11-tournament schedule that begins Sept. 12 at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate in Hattiesburg, Miss.
“It's exciting because we're playing in seven different states in 11 events,” Kieschnick said. “Our goal is always to be prepared and have no surprises. This team is very good and very young. We're adding two really talented freshmen to an already talented freshman class from a year ago. We really feel like we're going to try to win and get our rankings early to get back in the postseason.”
That squad will also make a pair of trips to the northeast including competing in the Hartford Hawk Invitational in Hartford, Conn., from Sept. 19-20. The golf course, along with the competition, are expected to offer a quality early-season test.
“A few times a year, I try to get to different parts of the country for regionals and Hartford had a really good tournament,” Kieschnick said. “We'll see teams like UConn, Temple and some good northern golf programs. I want the guys to have different grasses because golf is different in northeast.”
The Bearkats close out the five-tournament fall slate with a trip to Princeville, Hawaii, and the Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational. The event, which takes place from Oct. 30-Nov. 1, regularly includes competitors from the ACC, Pac-12, SEC and Big 12, among others.
“The guys are really looking forward to going to Hawaii,” Kieschnick said. “The guys knew that last year and it is a really good event to get in to. That shows we've done some decent things to get an invite. This team is ready to win. They're very excited.”
Sam Houston opens its spring slate on Feb. 19, making the short trek to Humble for the three-day All-American Intercollegiate, hosted by Houston and Rice. One week later, the Kats take part in the Louisiana Class from Lafayette before visiting the famed Border Olympics, March 10-11.
“The expectations are to be a top 30 program and to win,” Kieschnick said. “We have 12 guys who can really play. They will be fighting for that traveling squad. I think we're set up to be a national contender again.”
Down the stretch, the team will head up to Williamsburg, Va., for the Kingsmill Intercollegiate before returning to Texas for the Jim West Intercollegiate in Bastrop. The geographically-sound schedule is nothing new for a Bearkat program that will have ventured to 10 different states in a two-year timespan at the conclusion of the season.
“Golf is not just hit the ball in the air and go find it,” Kieschnick said. “There are so many different kinds of grasses across the country. We did really well at the Auburn Regional because it was Bermuda grass. I think for the player that plays here, he is going to get to see all the golf around the country. When we step up at regionals, we want to be fully prepared. We don't want anything to get in the way of our first national championship.”
Sam Houston closes the predetermined schedule April 24-26 at the Southland Conference Championship in McKinney. After claiming the tournament title in back-to-back years, the Kats almost made it a third straight, nearly clawing back from a 13-stroke deficit on the final day before taking third.
“That's a golf course for Sam Houston State,” Kieschnick said. “It's hard; you have to use your golfing mind and have discipline with ball control. It's kind of a golf course if we play like we normally play, we have a good chance to win or be right there. We are very excited to go back and play there.”
After starting three freshmen a season ago, Kieschnick feels as if the squad is primed to return to NCAA Regionals play after finishing in the top five during its last four tournaments last spring.
“Last year all the guys, we felt like we needed one more event and we could have made the postseason,” Kieschnick said. “I think the guys know coming in here that we need to get off to a good start. I think we're a lot like we were two years ago. I think we will be deeper in qualifying. We may see different top five's. I think they understand now they can play with anybody.”
