March 13, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Another challenge awaits the University of Kentucky men’s golf team this weekend when the Wildcats travel to Statesboro, Ga., for the Schenkel Invitational at Forest Heights Country Club. The three-day, 54-hole tournament will begin Friday, March 14 and wrap up Sunday, March 16. 

Last Time Out:
UK will look to continue its streak of top five finishes after claiming a fourth place finish at the Querencia Cabo Collegiate last week. Kentucky recorded a final team score of 20-over par, 872. Through six tournaments in 2013-14, UK has placed in the top five in all six events. Senior Ben Stow paced the Wildcats in Cabo by tying for fourth place with a one-over par, 214. The top five finish was his second of the season and third in the top 10. Fellow seniors Cody Martin and Stephen Powers also placed in the top 20, as the duo tied for 14^th at six-over par, 219.

Stow leads the team with a season scoring average of 72.50. Senior Stephen Powers ranks second on the team with a 72.94 scoring average and senior Cody Martin following close behind at 73.28. Stow’s three top-10 finishes lead the team, while Powers comes in second with two. 

About the Schenkel Invitational:
This marks the eighth consecutive year Kentucky will participate in the Schenkel Invitational. UK will make its 14^th overall appearance in the Schenkel Invitational since it was founded in 1971. The Wildcats tied for sixth in last year’s event, while the program’s best finish came in 2006 with a third place finish.  

Eighteen holes will be played Friday through Sunday with fixed tee times on holes No. 1 and No. 10 at 9 a.m. ET, while the final 18 holes will begin Sunday morning at 8 a.m. ET. The course will feature a par-72, 6,962-yard setup. 

The Field:
Joining the Wildcats in Georgia are No. 6 UCF, No. 7 Virginia, No. 15 UAB, No. 18 Texas, College of Charleston, Duke, Florida, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Maryland, North Carolina State, North Florida, North Texas and Ole Miss. 

Coach Craig Quotables:
“The Schenkel Invitational is one of the best and longest running events in college golf,” said UK head coach Brian Craig. “Forest Heights Country Club provides a terrific test of golf and the field is deep. I like the trajectory this team is on but we can’t take anything for granted. This is a chance to keep building on the spring season and another chance to get better. My goal is for these guys to keep playing aggressive golf with free and confident swings. If we do that, I can accept the outcome.” 

Up Next:
Following the Schenkel Invitational, UK will travel to Awendaw, S.C., for the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate held March 23-25. For more information on the University of Kentucky men’s golf team please visit UKathletics.com and follow on Twitter @UKmensgolf. 

Forest Heights Country Club

Statesboro, Ga.; March 14-16

Par: 72

Yardage: 6,962

Live Scoring: Stats

UK Lineup:
1. Ben Stow

2. Stephen Powers

3. Cody Martin

4. David Snyder

5. Will Bishop

Individual: Hager Collins