Austin Peay State University Governors Golf travels to Memphis Intercollegiate to defend title

APSU Sports Information

Cordova, TN – Austin Peay State University men’s golf team will attempt to defend its tourney title when the Govs make a short trip west to participate in the Memphis Intercollegiate, Monday and Tuesday, at the Colonial Country Club South Course.

The two-day, 54-hole event will be played on the par-72, 7,249-yard South course, once considered one of the most difficult venues when it was a regular PGA stop. The course, that owns a 142-slope rating, is highlighted by tree-lined and uncharacteristic elevations.

Last season the Govs held off a nationally-ranked field –six teams ranked in the Top 100—to record one of the program’s most prestigious regular-season titles in decades. It was APSU’s fourth title of six in 2012-13.

The Govs will be battling a field that features host Memphis, ranked No. 40 by Golfstat, and South Alabama, rated 56. APSU enters the even rated 86th nationally. Last season’s runner up, Louisiana Lafayette, returns to the 15-team field. Also participating will be Ohio Valley Conference foe Belmont.

“Colonial is always a quality golf course to go to and one of the best courses in the state,” APSU coach Kirk Kayden said. “We will rely on the experience of the guys that played here last year to help in our preparation.

“Since we have been back from Florida they guys have had a lot of play outside and they are hitting it well going in.”

Kayden will feature a different lineup for the first of three straight tournament weeks. Seniors Marco Iten, who captured medalist honors at the Talis Park Challenge in Naples, FL, Anthony Bradley and Trey Tarpley again will represent the Govs. But the lineup’s final two spots will be manned by junior Tucker Wallace and freshman Erik Hedberg.

Sophomores Chris Baker and Austin Kramer, who played in the spring’s first three tournaments, are getting the week off.  Meanwhile, sophomore Korey Smith will participate as an individual.

“This will start a very busy schedule for us, so our goal is to take one event at a time and play to the best of our abilities each week,” Kayden said.