Troy University Athletics
Monday, October 3
Ruston, La.
Troy University
vs
Louisiana Technical University
Trojans Return to Action at Squire Creek Intercollegiate
10/2/2011 8:00:00 AM | Golf (M), Golf
After three weeks off since a sixth place finish at the season-opening Golfweek Challenge, the Troy University men's golf team will return to action on Monday at the Louisiana Tech/Squire Creek Intercollegiate in Choudrant, La.
This will be the third consecutive season the Trojans have competed in the event on the Tom Fazio designed course. Troy has struggled in its two previous appearances because of difficulty maneuvering the rolling greens at the Squire Creek Country Club.
“Putting is at a premium in this tournament,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “We are leading the country in fairways hit and third in greens in regulation. If we putt well, we'll be in contention.”
The par-72, 7,105-yard course is regularly rated as the best in Louisiana. The greens, however, require a lot of creativity and nerves of steel on approach shots because shooting at the flag is not always the best option.
“It is almost as if all that is missing from the greens are windmills and clown's mouths,” Terry said. “The key is to continue our consistent play on the course and then have fun on the greens.”
The Trojans will be led by senior Ricky Casko, who finished tied for 12th in the first outing of the year with a five-under par 211 score.
“Casko got off to a great start,” Terry said. “He has continued to work hard. I am anxious to watch him at this event. He played well there last year on a bad ankle.”
The senior will be joined by sophomore Will Thompson, who finished at two-under par in the opening event of the year.
“Will Thompson was really steady in the first event and we need to get the same thing out of him this week,” Terry said. “He is one of the older guys, even though he is a sophomore.”
Three freshmen will also make the trip to Louisiana. Jake Tucker finished the first event at one-under par and Tolver Dozier finished at three-over. Phillip Brennan edged out Will Cowdus for the fifth spot for this tournament and will make his collegiate debut.
“Phillip Brennan had to really play hard to qualify for the fifth spot on this trip, and he hit 15 greens in regulation to do it,” Terry said. “It will be interesting to see how Jake plays with some new clubs in his bag. He has been playing well leading up to this event.
“Tolver is looking forward to getting back into competition after he had a disappointing final round at the Golfweek Tournament. He has been putting in a lot of extra practice on his own and is expecting to play well.”
The Trojans will be joined in the field by in-state foe Jacksonville State, which finished second in the Golfweek Challenge. The host team from Louisiana Tech won the event last year and past tournament winner Sam Houston State is also in the field.
Other tournament entrants are Central Arkansas, Jackson State, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Rice, Stephen F. Austin and Missouri-Kansas City. LSU will also send players to compete as individuals.
“Southeastern Louisiana should be a very good team, as should southern Miss,” Terry said. “They should all be pretty good, but it is a tournament where, if we hit the ball the way we have been hitting it and we can make some putts, we'll be in the mix at the end.”
This will be the third consecutive season the Trojans have competed in the event on the Tom Fazio designed course. Troy has struggled in its two previous appearances because of difficulty maneuvering the rolling greens at the Squire Creek Country Club.
“Putting is at a premium in this tournament,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “We are leading the country in fairways hit and third in greens in regulation. If we putt well, we'll be in contention.”
The par-72, 7,105-yard course is regularly rated as the best in Louisiana. The greens, however, require a lot of creativity and nerves of steel on approach shots because shooting at the flag is not always the best option.
“It is almost as if all that is missing from the greens are windmills and clown's mouths,” Terry said. “The key is to continue our consistent play on the course and then have fun on the greens.”
The Trojans will be led by senior Ricky Casko, who finished tied for 12th in the first outing of the year with a five-under par 211 score.
“Casko got off to a great start,” Terry said. “He has continued to work hard. I am anxious to watch him at this event. He played well there last year on a bad ankle.”
The senior will be joined by sophomore Will Thompson, who finished at two-under par in the opening event of the year.
“Will Thompson was really steady in the first event and we need to get the same thing out of him this week,” Terry said. “He is one of the older guys, even though he is a sophomore.”
Three freshmen will also make the trip to Louisiana. Jake Tucker finished the first event at one-under par and Tolver Dozier finished at three-over. Phillip Brennan edged out Will Cowdus for the fifth spot for this tournament and will make his collegiate debut.
“Phillip Brennan had to really play hard to qualify for the fifth spot on this trip, and he hit 15 greens in regulation to do it,” Terry said. “It will be interesting to see how Jake plays with some new clubs in his bag. He has been playing well leading up to this event.
“Tolver is looking forward to getting back into competition after he had a disappointing final round at the Golfweek Tournament. He has been putting in a lot of extra practice on his own and is expecting to play well.”
The Trojans will be joined in the field by in-state foe Jacksonville State, which finished second in the Golfweek Challenge. The host team from Louisiana Tech won the event last year and past tournament winner Sam Houston State is also in the field.
Other tournament entrants are Central Arkansas, Jackson State, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Rice, Stephen F. Austin and Missouri-Kansas City. LSU will also send players to compete as individuals.
“Southeastern Louisiana should be a very good team, as should southern Miss,” Terry said. “They should all be pretty good, but it is a tournament where, if we hit the ball the way we have been hitting it and we can make some putts, we'll be in the mix at the end.”
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