Feb. 25, 2016
SAN JOSE, Calif.-- The San José State University men's golf team will travel to Tucson, Ariz., to compete in the National Invitational Tournament, starting on Sunday, February 28.
"The N.I.T. down at the Omni Tucson National golf course is a real treat for us. It's something that we feel fortunate to play in, not just because it's a phenomenal place to play but its also the site of our conference championship. So it gives us a bit of a heads up on playing the golf course and getting to know it a little better," said Spartans head coach John Kennaday, referring to the Mountain West Championship that'll be played from April 22-24.
The N.I.T. field includes 14 schools at the par-72, 7,262-yard Catalina Course at Omni Tucson National: Colorado State, Iowa State, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Notre Dame, San José State, Santa Clara, Stephen F. Austin, UC Davis, Utah, UTEP, Wyoming and host, Arizona.
The tournament format will be a 54-hole stroke play with 18 holes each day, from February 28 to March 1, with the low four of five scores counted each round for the team total.
The teams will tee off either from the 1st or the 10th hole between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. (MST) on Sunday, February 28 as the Spartans will be putting out a lineup of: Taylor Bromley, Scott Munger, Brett Thawley, Bradley Keyer and the fifth starter to be decided between Matthew Murray and Kevin Velo. Whoever is not starting will be playing as an individual.
"My emphasis for the tournament will be on development as it always is. I'm looking to continue on the learning curve that we are on. That doesn't always translate into score but it will," said Kennaday.
Fans can follow the N.I.T. action with live scoring updates provided by BirdieFire.com
LAST TIME OUT:
The Spartans last competed on February 4-6 at the spring season opening Amer Ari Invitational in Waikoloa, Hawai'i, finishing tied for 13th out of 19 teams for their best finish ever at the tournament. It was the Spartans' sixth time at the tournament.
The lineup featured Taylor Bromley, Matthew Murray, BrettThawley, Kevin Velo and Scott Munger. Bradley Keyer made his Spartan debut playing as an individual.
Velo had the low score for the Spartans shooting two-under 214, tying him for 30th place.
PREVIOUSLY AT THE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT:
This will be the second appearance for the Spartans at the National Invitational Tournament, having first played in last year's tournament where they finished 14th out of 15 teams.
From this year's N.I.T. starting lineup, senior Taylor Bromley and sophomore Scott Munger have experience playing at the tournament where Bromley shot 16-over 232 last year, placing him tied for 68th and Munger shot 14-over 233, good for 63rd. Munger had the low score for the Spartans in last year's second round play.
The Catalina Course at Omni Tucson National has also hosted the Mountain West Championships since the Spartans joined the league in 2013, where the Spartans finished 7th out of 11 teams in both years.
Bromley and Munger played in last year's Mountain West Championship, finishing 55th and T-44th, respectively.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Keep up with your San José State men's golf team this season on social media!
The team is active on Facebook.