March 30, 2000

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team will compete in its one and only home tournament of the spring season this weekend when it plays host to the annual Johnny Owens Invitational tournament Friday and Saturday, March 31-April 1 at the Kearney Hill Links.

This year’s tournament field includes Notre Dame, Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Marshall, Miami (Ohio), Western Kentucky, Youngstown State, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Morehead State, Xavier, Murray State, Ohio, Akron, Wright State and host Kentucky.

Miami (Ohio) won the 1999 tournament with an 880 total, while Xavier’s Steve Dixon took the individual title with a total of 211. Host Kentucky finished fifth with a score of 897, led by Jeremy Langley with a seventh-place 219.

The Johnny Owens Invitational was started in 1987 to honor the former UK golfer and coach. Owens, a team captain from 1947-50, began coaching in order to save the golf program from being cancelled following his graduation. The Lexington, Ky. native stayed with the program for seven years, guiding the Cats to a 44-53-2 record during his tenure. Following his coaching career, Owens went on to amateur success as a golfer, winning the Kentucky Amateur, the Kentucky Seniors Amateur and the British Seniors Championship several times.

The action starts on Friday with an 8:30 a.m. EST shotgun start. Two rounds will be played on Friday and a final round on Saturday. There will be an awards ceremony upon the conclusion of competition Saturday.