North Carolina State University Athletics
2001 Field Set For Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational
3/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Tourney to feature 10 of the top 21 teams in the nation
STATESBORO, Ga. -- The NC State men's golf team will receive another stern test when they compete in the 2001 Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational, set for Sat.-Sun., March 24-25 at Forest Heights Country Club.
The tourney, in its third year as the Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational, will feature 10 of the top 21 teams in the nation and 13 of the top 19 players, according to the latest MasterCard Collegiate Golf Rankings, the only published collegiate golf rankings.
"On behalf of the tournament committee, we're extremely pleased to announce the 2001 Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational will feature our best field ever," Schenkel Committee chairman Billy Griffis said. "We're especially proud that the Schenkel will once again draw many of the strongest teams from throughout the country."
The Schenkel, which returned in 1999 after a nine-year absence, will include 35 players currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation. Thirteen of the 15 teams that make up the Schenkel field are ranked in the NCAA's top 50, including three of the top six -- No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Clemson and No. 6 South Carolina. The Bulldogs, who already own two tournament wins this season, are the defending Schenkel champions, while Clemson claimed the 1999 Schenkel title.
More impressively, eight of the nation's top 10 players are expected to compete. Clemson's Lucas Glover and John Engler, the No. 2 and 3 ranked players, as well as No. 4 Kyle Thompson (South Carolina), No. 5 Chris Wisler (East Tennessee State), No. 6 Ryan Hybl (Georgia), No. 8 Jamie Elson (Augusta State), No. 9 David Sanchez (North Carolina State), and No. 10 Luke Donald (Northwestern), the 1999 NCAA individual champion, are scheduled to take part in the 54-hole event.
"These kind of numbers get your attention," said Griffis. "You realize these are the best players in college golf. We think the media and fans alike will have an opportunity to watch the strongest field of any college golf tournament in the country, and at the same time, see some future professionals."
The tournament, which includes a Friday practice round, gets underway Saturday morning with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. The teams play 36 holes Saturday and 18 Sunday. The tournament is open to the public at no charge.
2001 Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational Participating Teams
Auburn
Augusta State
Clemson
Duke
East Tennessee State
Florida
Georgia
Georgia Southern
Louisiana State
North Carolina
North Carolina State
Northwestern
Ohio State
South Carolina
Tennessee
