Austin Peay State University Governors Golf play in Mission Inn Spring Spectacular this weekend

APSU Sports Information

Howey- In-The-Hills, FL – After a three-week period of practicing and qualifying, Austin Peay State University men’s golf team will return to competition for the second time this spring when it participates in the Mission Inn Spring Spectacular, to be played Saturday and Sunday on the par 72, 6,884-yard El Campeón Course at the historic Mission Inn Resort and Spa.

Hosted by George Mason, the tourney field also will include Campbell, Richmond, VCU, Florida A&M,  Bethune-Cookman, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Grand Canyon, Lehigh, North Carolina State, Old Dominion, Penn, Virginia Tech, Columbia and IPFW.

Defending champ Virginia Tech is ranked 34th nationally in Golfstat rankings while North Carolina State is No. 44 and East Carolina No. 59.

It will be the Govs’ first competition since finishing 11th in the weather-shortened Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate in late February. The Governors used Spring Break week to get in some extra course work, including arriving in Florida early to take advantage of the warmer and drier conditions.

“I believe our guys are ready and prepared for this event,” first-year coach Robbie Wilson said. “We came down to Florida a few days early to practice and the extra time should pay off. There’s no question the winter has been tough but thanks to our home courses, we have still been able to work hard enough that our guys are in good form.”

Junior Austin Kramer again will play the No. 1 spot for the Governors. He was APSU’s top finisher at Wexford, finishing 12th with a 147 (73-74).

Fellow junior Chris Baker, who has been a key starter for three seasons, returns to the lineup after missing the spring opener while still recovering from illness. He will play in the No. 2 spot.

Senior Tucker Wallace will in the No. 3 spot while newcomer Tyler Phillips, who joined the team in January after transferring from Trevecca, will be in the No. 4 spot. The Clarksville Tennessee native had a solid final round in his first Govs’ tourney. Freshman Justin Arens will play in the No. 5 spot.

“Our expectation is to go out and compete on every single shot,” Wilson said. “We’ve been saying all semester the only thing we can control is ourselves and our approach both mentally and physically. If we handle those things well, it will certainly be a good week.

“El Campeón will be a challenging course and I’m looking forward to competing against a great field that includes three top 50 programs. ”

El Campeón is one of the oldest (opened in 1917) and most historic courses in the South. After Friday’s practice, 36 holes will be played Saturday with the final 18 holes on Sunday morning.

Live scoring will be available on www.golfstat.com