Men’s Golf Opens Spring Slate at Border Olympics

TROY, Ala. – The Troy men's golf team returns to action this week at the annual Border Olympics, hosted by Houston at the Laredo Country Club on Monday and Tuesday.

"We are all very excited to get the spring season underway at The Border Olympics," head coach Clay Bounds said. "I think we have something to prove this spring coming off our fall season. The guys are eager to get back into competition and play like they know they can. Laredo is a familiar spot for us. The people, the golf course, and the food are all great, so we're looking forward to being back.

"It will be important for our spring season to get off to a good start, and Laredo is just the place to do it."

Coming off its first NCAA Championship appearance in the program's Division history last spring, Troy is coming off a fall season that saw Bounds deploy a lineup featuring two freshmen and a sophomore in each of the Trojans' four tournaments.

Pablo Gracia and Lee Poppell, both of whom were critical in Troy's postseason run last year, shot under-par in the fall to lead the Trojans. Gracia shot under-par in eight of his 11 rounds, including six rounds in the 60s, as he finished the fall with a 70.27 stroke average and -1.45 score vs. par. Poppell is about a stroke behind with a 71.64 average and -0.09 score vs. par, thanks to his six rounds in the red.

Thomas Crane posted a strong fall debut as the freshman's card counted towards the team card in 10-of-11 rounds, and he finished with three rounds in the red, while Grant Yerger closed out the fall with a 73.82 average and two rounds under-par. Freshman Lawton Emblom will make his first appearance in the lineup after carding a 1-under 215 competing as an individual at the Turtle Point Invite.

Teams play 36 holes on Monday beginning at 8 a.m., followed by 18 holes on Tuesday to close the event.

Tournament Name: The Border Olympics
Dates: Feb. 16-17
Host: Houston
Course: Laredo Country Club – Par 72 – 7,257 yards
Location: Laredo, Texas
Format: 36 holes Monday; 18 holes Tuesday
Field: Troy, Houston, Houston Christian, Illinois State, Lamar, Louisiana, New Mexico State, North Texas, Sam Houston, Tarleton State, UT Rio Grande Valley, Wichita State and Wright State

Troy Lineup
Pablo Gracia (11 rounds, 70.27 avg., -1.45 vs. par)
Lee Poppell (11 rounds, 71.64 avg., -0.09 vs. par)
Lawton Emblom (3 rounds, 71.67 avg., -0.33 vs. par)
Thomas Crane (11 rounds, 72.45 avg., 0.73 vs. par)
Grant Yerger (11 rounds, 73.82 avg., 2.09 vs. par)

Men’s Golf Opens Spring Slate at Border Olympics

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Thomas Crane

Lawton Emblom

Pablo Gracia

Lee Poppell

Grant Yerger

Troy University Athletics