March 28, 2003

The Kentucky men’s golf team will host its annual Johnny Owens Invitational beginning Saturday, March 29. The tournament will be played at the par-72 Big Blue Course at UK’s University Club in Lexington. This year’s field features 15 teams from around the region, including Michigan, Louisville, Ball State, Indiana, Eastern Kentucky, Marshall, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Xavier, Notre Dame, Western Kentucky, Arkansas-Little Rock, Vanderbilt and Morehead State. Last year’s team champion, Purdue, is not among the field.

Kentucky has won its home tournament three times, but not since 1989. Last year the Cats came up short finishing second, just six strokes behind Purdue. UK sophomore John Holmes took home individual honors, winning the tournament with a three-round 207 (-6), two strokes ahead of Morehead’s Nicholas Atzinger. Holmes looks to continue his individual success, as well as lead the Cats to their first Johnny Owens victory in 14 years. Helping Holmes will be senior Ryan Coyne, sophomores Mark Blakefield and Brandon Waldrop and freshman Matt Kohn. Senior Andy Dustman, sophomores Matt Wells and Jack Hudson and freshman Tyler Wilson will compete as individuals.

The tournament begins at 8 a.m. ET with a shotgun start. The teams will play two rounds on Saturday and the third round will begin at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday.