Bearkats take to Colorado for second event
9/17/2017 8:25:00 AM | Men's Golf
Tournament Preview
Monday, Sept. 18 – Tuesday, Sept. 19 • 54 Holes • Ram Masters Invitational
Fort Collins, Colorado. • Fort Collins Country Club • par 70 • 7,218 yards
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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After a confidence-building win in its opening tournament, Sam Houston State men's golf looks to keep the momentum going the second time out.
The Bearkats are set to take part in the two-day, 54-hole Ram Masters Invitational presented by Pedersen Toyota, beginning Monday from the par-70, 7,218-yard Fort Collins Country Club. The field features 19 teams including four coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance a season ago.
With a short turnaround and first-place result at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate last time out, Sam Houston will turn to the same starting five, only adjusting to their order of finish – Austen Christiansen, William Holcomb, Jake McCrory, Noah Steele and Levi Valadez.
Playing in foursomes, the golfers will play 36 holes in shotgun format on Monday beginning at 9 a.m. CT. Pairings for Tuesday's tee times for the final 18 holes will be determined by team score. The low four individual scores will determine the team scores for each round.
The field includes host Colorado State, Air Force, Denver, Grand Canyon, Idaho, Illinois State, Long Beach State, UMKC, New Mexico, Northern Colorado, Oral Roberts, Pacific, South Dakota, South Dakota State, TCU, Utah Valley, Wichita State and Wyoming.
In his first tournament with the Bearkats, Christiansen proved to be a difference maker down the stretch, notching birdies on No. 17 and 18 to send Sam Houston a playoff which they eventually won by two strokes against UTA. The junior finished tied with Holcomb in fourth at even-par, 213.
QUOTEABLES:
Head coach Brandt Kieschnick on the Ram Masters Invitational…
“It's a good event. Colorado State is a really good team. New Mexico is a good team. TCU will be there and they are a good team. It will be a really good field and a bit deeper than we just played. We will have to get used to the attitude. There's about a 10 percent differences in yardage. We'll have to adjust that. The golf course is good. You have to pay more attention to the greens.”
Head coach Brandt Kieschnick on the level of confidence for the team…
“We're just going to continue doing what we're doing every day. We're really confident in the five that we have from a competitive, preparation and desire standpoint. These guys just want to be the best. We are taking it one day at a time. We are taking it as aggressive as we can but with wisdom.”
Head coach Brandt Kieschnick on picking up the win in the first time out…
“It's very hard to win. It comes down to a shot over 54 holes. Everything comes into play … your mind, your emotions, the way you practice, the way you play … this has been two years in the making. We have been rebuilding. You think about all the hard work, the practice, the mental focus and the hours in the gym. At the end of the day, that's why you do it. The enjoyed the win. We try to win and be humble and thankful. We won a lot my first couple years here. I think we're poised to do that again with these guys.”
Head coach Brandt Kieschnick on the drive of the team…
“We got in about 2 a.m. They got up and went to class and they went straight to go practice after a win. That tells you the level of makeup. Those guys played good but felt like there were some areas to improve. They don't want to be unprepared. They can be a special group.”
