PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Sports clichés advise against it, but this week's Intercollegiate at Innisbrook is all about looking ahead.
Â
For the Wichita State men's golf team, it's an early preview of Copperhead Course, which will also play host to next spring's American Athletic Conference Championship.
Â
It's also the last of five tournaments on the fall calendar. One last opportunity to build momentum before a three-and-a-half month layoff.
Â
"We're hoping to -- and I think we've prepared very well to -- go out with a bang," head coach
Judd Easterling said.
Â
Action begins at 7:15 a.m. CT on Monday with 36 holes and concludes Tuesday morning with the final 18.
Â
The Shockers are one of six American Athletic Conference teams in the field, joined by Houston, Memphis, Temple, UCF and USF.
Â
Copperhead Course, located at the Innisbrook Golf Resort near Tampa, is a favorite of collegiate and professional golfers alike.
Â
"It's just a true test of golf," Easterling said. "It's the same place they play the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour. You get to stay on site. Everything about it is great – great golf course, great practice facilities and, obviously, great weather.
Â
WSU last saw action two weeks ago. Sophomore
Dawson Lewis earned co-medalist honors, and the Shockers posted their first team victory of the Easterling Era with a three-shot win over host New Mexico State at the Herb Wimberly Invitational.
Â
"Guys are confident and super-excited about the win," Easterling said. "Now we're going to Innisbrook looking to compete and trying for the best finish that we can."
Â
Live scoring will be available via golfstat.com.
Â
INTERCOLLEGIATE AT INNISBROOK:
Date: Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 28-29
Site: Palm Harbor, Fla.
Course: Innisbrook Golf Resort, Copperhead Course
Yardage: 7,209
Par: 71
Tee Times: 7:15 a.m. CT (8:15 a.m. ET)
Format: 36-18; 5-Count-4
Live Scoring: GolfStat
Â
THE FIELD (16 Teams):
Campbell, Delaware, ECU, Florida Gulf Coast, Hartford, Houston, Houston Baptist, James Madison, Maryland, Memphis, Temple, UCF, USC Upstate, USF, Wichita State and William & Mary.
Â
SHOCKER LINEUP:
1.
Zac Owens (So.) – Team-best 70.9 stroke average; t-4
th at Herb Wimberly (Oct. 15)
2.
Dawson Lewis (So.) – Co-medalist at Herb Wimberly Inv. (Oct. 15).
3.
Joe Bultman (Fr.) – Coming off back-to-back top-20 finishes.
4.
Grayson Wallace (So.) – Under par in four of his last six rounds.
5.
Brock Polhill (So.) – Best career finish Oct. 15 at Herb Wimberly.
Â