Aug. 2, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. – An international trip to Mexico for the second-straight season highlights the 2013-14 University of Kentucky men’s golf schedule that was announced Friday by head coach Brian Craig.
“We have switched up our fall schedule this year and have some great events to test our skills,” said Craig, who is entering his 13th year as head coach. “The highlight of the fall will be competing on the famed Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, S.C., which recently hosted the PGA Championship.”
The fall slate begins Sept. 6-8 at the Northern Intercollegiate in Sugar Grove, Ill., followed by a return to the Wolf Run Invitational in Zionsville, Ind., Sept. 21-22. The Wildcats finished fifth at the Wolf Run Invitational last season. After a couple weeks off, UK heads to Duluth, Ga., for the Autotrader.com Collegiate Classic from Oct. 14-15.
Rounding out the fall schedule is the highly anticipated Invitational at The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, S.C., Oct. 27-29.
The Wildcats kick off the spring with the Alumni Match in Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 20. The one day event will be held at the Old Palm Golf Club and the Dye Preserve Golf Club.
“Our spring schedule is fantastic particularly with the addition of the Cabo, Mexico, event at the spectacular Querencia Golf Club,” Craig said. “We are also hosting the Bluegrass Invitational at the University Club which will be terrific preparation for the SEC Championship the following week.”
Following the Alumni Match, Kentucky heads to Mobile, Ala., for the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate from Feb. 17-18, an event the Wildcats have competed in the last four seasons. UK’s best finish came in 2011 with a second-place outcome.
Kentucky then heads south of the border March 2-4 to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, for the Querencia Cabo Collegiate. Last season Craig and his squad finished in a tie for second, while junior Will Bishop was the top individual finisher. The Wildcats return to the U.S. for the Schenkel Invitational from March 14-16, in Statesboro, Ga.
After the Schenkel Invitational, UK heads to Awendaw, S.C., for the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate on March 23-25. It will mark the ninth consecutive appearance at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate for the Wildcats. Wrapping up the spring season, Kentucky will host the Bluegrass Invitational at the University Club. The two-day event runs April 12-13 and will be the first home tournament for the men’s golf team since 2011 when the Wildcats finished second.
Postseason play begins April 25 and runs through April 27 for the SEC Championship at Seaside Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Ga. NCAA Regional action runs May 15-17 at three different sites that will be determined at a later date. The NCAA Championships will take place in Hutchinson, Kan., May 23-28.
“All in all, this schedule meets our goal of playing against the best competition on the most challenging courses we can find,” Craig said. “I can’t wait to get started and coach this team to great success this year as we represent the Big Blue Nation with class and integrity.”
The Wildcats will look to improve on a 2012-13 campaign that resulted in five top-five finishes and a 10th-place finish at NCAA Regionals.
