Men’s Golf Finishes Fall Slate at Steelwood Collegiate Invite
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team will wrap up its fall schedule at the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational in Loxley, Alabama, with a two-day, 54-hole event beginning on Saturday.
The Wildcats will utilize a starting lineup of Jacob Cook, Alex Goff, Zach Norris, Garrett Wood and Campbell Kremer. Hugo Archer and Jay Kirchdorfer will compete as individuals.
“We absolutely love the Steelwood Collegiate,” Craig said. “What a fabulous event the golf course puts on each year. The golf course is awesome that time of year and the greens are lightning fast. This year is extra special as the tournament is honoring the legacy of Cullan Brown and the Brown family will be in attendance. I can’t wait to go down there and coach this team to a great performance and celebrate the incredible life of Cullan Brown.”
This marks the fourth time the Wildcats will be among the field at Steelwood Country Club since 2016. UK placed fourth in 2017 and was the tournament’s runner up in 2016.
Kentucky gets play underway beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET on Saturday. UK will play with South Alabama and Kansas State throughout the opening two rounds.
NOTEWORTHY
Tournament History: Kentucky is making its fourth appearance in the event. Wood tied for ninth in 2019 to lead the Wildcats. Goff tied for 19th to help lead the starters. Kirchdorfer also played as an individual in 2019 and earned a tie for 19th for his first collegiate top-20 finish.
The Course: Designed by former U.S. Open Champion Jerry Pate, Steelwood is rated by GolfDigest as one of the best courses in Alabama. The vistas are spectacular, especially the six holes bordering the lake. The course opened in 1997 and features 7,096 yards. The course rating is 74.0 and it has a slope rating of 144 on Bermuda grass.
The Field: The field will play a 54-hole event over two days. The squads will play two rounds on Saturday before finishing with a final 18 on Sunday. Cincinnati, Kansas State, Kennesaw State, Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Alabama, Rice, Rutgers, South Alabama, UAB and Wisconsin comprise the 14-team field.
The Lineup: Cook and Norris are in the starting lineup once again. They are the only two players to appear in the starting lineup in all four events this fall. Goff and Wood return to the lineup after missing the Southeastern Conference Match Play Championship. Goff and Wood are making their third starts of the season. Kremer is making his second straight start and third appearance of the year. Archer is playing in his fourth event of the fall and second as an individual. Kirchdorfer is appearing in his second event this season as an individual.
Total career sub-70 Rounds:
Goff – 11
Wood – 8
Cook – 6
Norris – 4
Archer – 1
Kremer – 1
Law of Averages: Cook paces the squad with a 70.33 stroke average over six rounds this season. Archer owns a 71.17 average and Goff boats a 71.83 score.
Saving His Best for Last: Cook has easily put together the best stretch of his career in the fall season. In UK’s two stroke-play tournaments he has secured two top-10 finishes. He also went 2-1-1 in the Wildcats’ match play action at the SEC Match Play Championship. Cook has played par or better in each of his last four rounds of stroke play and has a 70.33 stroke average, which would be a career best.
Enjoy The Walk: Cullan Brown appeared in eight spring events for the Wildcats in 2019. He started in seven of the eight tournaments with a 72.42 stroke average. He generated 10 par-or-better rounds and had two top-10 finishes. He placed among the top 20 in four events, including a tie for ninth at the SEC Championship. The Wildcats are using the phrase “Enjoy The Walk” on team gear and social media posts in Brown’s honor. It is a phrase Brown often used to encourage everyone he played with to enjoy the moment of that round.
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