Men’s Golf Opens SBC Championship Monday

Monday, April 22

Madison, Miss.

All Day

Troy University

Sun Belt Championship

Photo by: VASHA HUNT

Men’s Golf Opens SBC Championship Monday

4/21/2024 11:08:00 AM | Golf (M)

Watch Live (R1)Watch Live (R2)Watch Live (R3)Live Scoring

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – After reaching match play in the Sun Belt Championship last season, Troy men's golf returns to the Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Miss., for the 2024 SBC Championship beginning Monday.

"We need a big week," head coach Clay Bounds said. "Postseason is never easy. It will be important for us to get off to a good start on Monday and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Our number one goal is to make match play. Once you make match play, anything can happen. We need guys to step up this week. All spring, we've been close to playing good golf; now is our time to put it all together and play great."

Brantley Scott enters the Sun Belt Championship playing his best golf of the season and shot a 4-under 212 on the course last year as he tied for fourth place. He's played three of his last four rounds under par and has a team-leading nine rounds under-par and five rounds in the 60s this season, while his 73.07 stroke average this spring is a team-best.

Troy has ramped up its competition the last month, playing at three tournaments loaded with teams ranked within the top 25 nationally after tying for second place at the Daytona Beach Intercollegiate to open March.

Jake Springer enters the SBC Championship, leading Troy with a 72.73 stroke average and 0.93 score vs. par, while Pablo Gracia will make his first SBC appearance after trying Scott with nine rounds under par in addition to posting a 72.71 average.

"Annandale Golf Club is such a great course for a championship," Bounds said. "It will be important for us to put the ball in play so we can hit a bunch of greens. Our ball striking all year has been solid, which will be our strength leading into the tournament. The practice round will be important for us to get comfortable on the greens. We need to dial our speed in because I imagine the greens will be quick. If we can get our putters hot, we'll be in a good spot come Wednesday."

Bounds will also turn to Nick Fowlkes (73.89), George Burch (75.89) and Will Simpson (74.80) to round out his lineup for the week, where the top four teams following 54 holes of stroke play will advance to match play on Thursday to decide the title.

"For us to make match play, we need to get off to a good start on Monday," Bounds said. "Our first round will set the tone for the rest of the week. To make the top four for match play, we will have to play some really good golf. It won't be easy, but if we put it all together and play like I know we can, we will have a good week."

Troy will play Monday's opening round along with James Madison and Louisiana, beginning on hole No. 1 at 9:15 a.m.