Ask any recreational golfer - February is not the best month to be teeing it up.
But ask college golfers the same question. They would say February is a time when they are itching to get some fresh air and get back onto the course after five months indoors.
The Ohio men's golf team is ready to do just that. Saturday the Bobcats will begin their spring season in Gulf Breeze, Fla., at the Emerald Coast Collegiate. Hosted by Division-II West Florida, the tournament features some of the best talent from that division. West Florida was the 2001 Division II national champion and several Argos golfers have gone on to professional careers.
The field isn't as strong as last year
but there are still some really good golf teams Ohio coach Bob Cooley said. Plus they've been playing a lot.
He also said the trip to Florida helps the Bobcats because it gets them onto a course that is well manicured, which is a change because the courses in Ohio are typically closed or have limited play during this time.
This is a good recruiting trip for us
and it gives us a chance to play other teams from around the country
he said.
For the second year, Ohio will get a look at Tiger Point Golf and Country Club's East Course. The course is set up as a 7,041-yard par 72 in a Scottish links style, which means the front nine holes go out toward the ocean and the back nine come back inland toward the clubhouse.
The East Course also boasts a couple of par-5 holes that will force the players to make two perfect shots to have a chance at an eagle or birdie. No. 3 is a 510-yard par 5 and No.16 measures 543 yards.
The course was designed by former PGA professional and 1976 U.S. Open champion Jerry Pate in 1965 but has since been renovated in 2001. Pate's golf course design company is located in Pensacola, Fla., which is five miles from Gulf Breeze.
Five Bobcats will get to enjoy the warm weather and a crack at Tiger Point - freshmen Mark Cimarolli and Ryan Siekmann, sophomores Brian Elsea and Jon Johasky, and junior Brian Bickle.
The 54-hole tournament begins Saturday at 8 a.m. with 36 holes in a shotgun start. The final round is Sunday with tee times yet to be determined.
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Laurie Duffy
