APSU Governors Golf head to Mississippi for Reunion Intercollegiate

Austin Peay Sports Information

Madison, MS – For the third time in as many weeks, Austin Peay State University men’s golf team will compete against a challenging field as it participates in the Reunion Intercollegiate, Monday and Tuesday at Reunion Golf and Country Club.

Last week the Governors finished tied for fifth at the Old Waverly Intercollegiate Championship in a field that included 10 Top 100 teams—perhaps the toughest regular-season tourney field APSU has faced in Kirk Kayden’s coaching tenure at APSU.

This week’s event played on a 7,416-yard, par-72 layout and hosted by Ole Miss, appears to be even better. Eleven of the 15 teams are Top 100 programs, according to Golfstat, including two Top 15 teams in No. 10 Houston, one of the most storied NCAA golf programs, and No. 15 Vanderbilt—it is the second time APSU (No. 79) has faced Vandy this spring.

In addition, UNC-Greensboro (52), Mississippi State (56), Middle Tennessee (58), Ole Miss (63), Southeastern Louisiana (65), Troy (71), Louisiana (80), Central Arkansas (100) will be competing along with Western Kentucky, Southern Miss and Jackson State.

“It’s another great field this week and we have to be well prepared to play,” said Kayden. “I feel like the guys are very close in putting some solid rounds of golf together.”

Senior Marco Iten, who tied for medalist honors at Old Waverly last week and has been first/second/first in his last three tournaments, will lead the Govs once again with fellow seniors Anthony Bradley and Trey Tarpley assuming the Nos. 2 and 3 positions. Like last week, Tucker Wallace and Chris Baker will round out the squad.

Reunion Country Club has hosted several top events since opening in 2004.  The Bob Cupp design has hosted the 2007 State Amateur Championship, the 2007 U.S. Amateur Qualifier and the 2006 U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier.

The extremely competitive tourney will be the Govs last prior to the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, April 24th-26th, in Muscle Shoals, AL, at the Shoals Fighting Joe course.

“We just have to continue to keep our composure on the golf course and take one shot at a time,” Kayden said. “We want to get some good momentum going into conference next week.”

Reunion Country Club has hosted several top events since opening in 2004.  The Bob Cupp design twice has hosted the Mississippi State Amateur Championship and a trio of USGA Amateur Qualifiers. It has a 75.9 rating with a 142 slope.