ROCK HILL, SC— The Winthrop men's golf team opens the 2017 fall season this weekend as it heads to Louisville, KY for the Louisville Cardinal Challenge Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
The Eagles were set to the open the fall season in early September at the Golfweek Program Challenge, but the event was canceled due to conditions from Hurricane Irma.
Event: Louisville Cardinal Challenge
Dates: Friday-Sunday, Sept 29-Oct. 1, 2017
Location: Simpsonville, KY
Course: University of Louisville Country Club (Par 72, Yardage 7,192)
Format: 54-Hole Tournament (18 holes each day, Eagles tee off beginning at 10:40 a.m. on hole #1)
Tournament Field: DePaul, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Jacksonville State, Lamar, Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana at Monroe, Louisville, Miami (OH), Southeastern Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, Winthrop
(Live Scoring Available At Golfstat.com)
Weather Forecast: Friday (Sunny, 76 degrees, N 7mph) Saturday (Sunny, 72 degrees, NE 9mph) Sunday (Partly Cloudy, 78 degrees, ESE 6mph)
A GLANCE AT THE EAGLES
The Eagles lost four golfers that played the majority of their four-year careers and return five from the 2016-17 team. The five returning players combined for a total of 24 events as this year's squad welcomes a couple of transfers and freshmen.
Junior
Sawyer Mills has the most experience as he played in eight tournaments in 2016-17 while junior
Michael McKee participated in seven events and
Zak Butt played in six.
The fall season will give head coach
Kevin Pendley and the players time to work out a starting five when the spring season hits and the team looks toward the conference championship.
TOP 10 FINISHES FROM LAST SEASON (INDIVIDUAL)
TOP 5 FINISHES FROM LAST SEASON (TEAM)
Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate (2
nd)
Big South Championship (5
th)
WINTHROP LINEUP
1.
Zak Butt
2.
Eric Gilpin
3.
Noah Peterson
4.
Sawyer Mills
5.
Michael McKee
(Idv.)
Andrew Horgan
PENDLEY'S THOUGHTS
On 2017-18 Season:
"Our goals are the same every season. Win the conference, a regular season event and our team academic goals. As for expectations, all we discuss daily is being better today than yesterday. We have made a dedicated effort to preach discipline, patience and positive attitudes at all times. The guys have done a great job of bringing their "hard hat" to work every day."
On having a balanced mix of inexperience and experienced group:
"We have some new faces that we feel are going to make a tremendous impact not only this year but in the future. There is some great enthusiasm and some uncertainty with new additions but have been very pleased with how they have come in and worked and blended into the program. Love the chemistry and the work ethic we have seen so far. It's been a fun group to be around and coach and excited to see them in competition."
On what team focuses on in fall season:
"Focus for the fall is just to focus on the process. The principles that will lead us to success. Patience, discipline and positive attitudes. In everything we do. Academics, in the weight room, in study hall, on the golf course. If we do those things, we will be successful and prepared to head into the offseason."
On competing at Louisville Cardinal Challenge
"Excited to be going to Louisville this week. Coach Crabtree was gracious to help us out and make room in the field after our initial event was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. The field is solid with lots of very good mid major programs from various parts of the Southeast and Midwest. Louisville will be very tough to beat on their home turf. We have never played the U of L Club but have heard great things. In doing some research it appears to be open and a links golf feel to it. The guys are excited to get on the road and compete!"
