Feb. 8, 2008

Live Scoring

The 18th-ranked Wake Forest men's golf team will compete in its first tournament of the spring season this weekend at the SunTrust Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. The shotgun start is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday.

Live scoring will be available on www.golfstat.com.

This will mark the fifth appearance for the Deacs at the Gator since the 1983-84 season, and the fourth consecutive year Wake has played in the tournament.

"This is a good starter tournament," Wake Forest head coach Jerry Haas said. "As a team you like to play a course you're familiar with. Last year we finished the last three holes poorly and ended up in third place. If we play up to our capabilities, we can win."

The team is coming off a strong fall season that saw the Deacs finish in the top 10 of each tournament they participated in, including a third-place finish at the VCU Shootout and a fifth-place finish at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational.

The Deacs face a tough field this weekend, going up against ACC foes and nationally ranked opponents including Duke (9th), Florida (12th), Florida State (13th) and Mississippi State (25th).

The par 70, 6,701-yard University Golf Course has seen respectable finishes from the Deacs but no team wins. Wake finished third last year behind the Seminoles and tournament winner and host Florida. Wake's highest finish came in the spring of 2005, when the Deacs finished second to Florida.

The Gators have won the tournament played on their home course 21 times since the event started in 1978.

"Historically, we've played this course very well," Haas said. "We're playing very well right now. The weather is supposed to be nice. I know our guys are fired-up and ready to play."

Wake is led by senior Webb Simpson who finished the fall with a 70.5 stroke average per 18 holes.

The Deacs will be represented by Simpson, Chris McCartin, Dustin Groves, Brendan Gielow and Travis Wadkins. Justin Bryant will also travel and play as an individual.

"Webb has only won twice in college, he's won a ton of amateurs so I know he'll be ready," Haas said. "Chris McCartin has had some of his best finishes here. Dustin [Groves] has had some low rounds. I know they're looking forward to it."

Sidenote...

Under a rule change passed Jan. 1 by the United States Golf Association, college tournaments can let two coaches tutor players instead of the previous one coach designation. The Gator Invitational will honor the rule as it is up to each event to decide whether or not to allow the change. Wake Forest assistant coach Chris Yoder will be on-hand to provide advice on the course.

"I think that's going to make a difference," Haas said. "In the past, you or your assistant coach would have to stand there and watch a kid implode without being able to say anything."