JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The McNeese Cowboy golf team will tee-off the spring season on Monday when it takes part in the two day, 54-hole Sea Best Invitational hosted by Jacksonville University at the TPC Sawgrass-Dye's Valley Course.
Monday's first round will begin with a 7 a.m. (CT) shotgun start with the second 18 holes immediately following the conclusion of round one. The third round will carry a double-tee start at 7 a.m. (CT) on Tuesday. Live results can be followed online at Golfstat.com.
McNeese is one of 14 teams entered in the tournament, joining the host Jacksonville, Arkansas, Campbell, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Liberty, Lipscomb, North Carolina, North Carolina State, North Florida, UNLV, and USC-Upstate.
Cowboys' interim head coach Mike Fluty has listed his starting five as senior
Blake Elliott, Nick Mattner and
Sutton Farmer, junior Reid Giardiana, and freshman
Jack Hearn who became eligible in January and is expected to be a big addition to the spring roster.
Fluty, the Cowgirl golf team head coach, was named interim head coach after former coach Austin Burk left the coaching profession to enter in the private sector.
"It's been a good reception," said Fluty about the Cowboy players. "We're getting really good leadership from our three seniors, their work ethic is great, and everyone is 100-percent committed to winning."
If the qualifying rounds are any indication on how the season will turn out, the Cowboys will be right back in the mix for not only a Southland Conference title, but also a run to the NCAAs.
Elliott led the way in qualifying, which was held at the Country Club at the Golden Nugget, with a three-round score of 205 following rounds of 65-69-69. Hearn followed him with a 208 (72-71-65), Farmer with rounds of 73-71-68 (212); Mattner a 216 (75-72-69); and Giardiana with rounds of 73-71-74 for a 218.
"We're excited to get the season started," said Fluty.
This will be the first of seven tournaments for the Cowboys this spring, including the conference tournament Apr. 22-24. McNeese will also host the Lake Charles Invitational March 18-19 at the Golden Nugget.
