Michigan State University Athletics
Men's Golf Hosts 39th Fossum Invitational This Weekend
4/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 20, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - With three events remaining in the regular season, the Michigan State men's golf team looks to take advantage of its home course this weekend (April 22-23) when it hosts the 39th Fossum Invitational presented by Johnny Rockets. The 54-hole event will be played at the par-72, 7,013-yard Forest Akers West Golf Course in East Lansing, Mich.
"It's more comfortable playing at home - you feel like all the advantages are in your favor, and everything is going to go your way," said sophomore Ryan Brehm (Mt. Pleasant, Mich).
The 12-team field features 10 Midwest District teams, including three ranked ahead of the Spartans, and eight Big Ten foes. MSU is currently ranked eighth in the district, and must climb into the top six in order to automatically qualify for NCAA Regionals on May 18-20.
"If we have any postseason hope, we probably have to win one of these last few tournaments," said junior Matt Harmon (Grand Rapids, Mich.) "We know our home course better than anyone else, so I think we have a good chance this weekend."
Defending champion Minnesota returns after breaking the tournament's 54-hole scoring record at last year's Fossum Invitational. The Golden Gophers carded a 3-over-par total of 867 to win by three shots over Illinois and Xavier.
Ranked No. 2 in the Midwest District, Minnesota joins Northwestern (No. 3) and Xavier (No. 5) in the district's top six. Denver, Indiana, Illinois, Toledo, Ohio State, Ball State, Iowa, and Wisconsin complete this year's field.
"I think we need to just settle down and focus on our own games instead of looking at the big picture in terms of what we need to do," Brehm said. "We've been struggling with that for the whole year now, but I think we understand that we need to do our own thing."
Legendary head coach Bruce Fossum founded the Spartan Invitational in 1966, and in 2002, the tournament was renamed to honor the program's first head coach. In his 25-year career, Fossum led MSU to 17 tournament titles, the program's first Big Ten Championship in 1969, and five NCAA Tournament team appearances.
Originally founded to showcase Michigan State and its golf program, the Fossum Invitational continues to fulfill Coach Fossum's vision. In addition to competing five players, four Spartans will have the chance to play as individuals.
"I'm really excited for the weekend. I'm glad that my parents are coming up to watch me play the tournament," said senior Zac Zedrick (Danville, Ill.). "I'm not going to be playing professional golf, so I'm looking forward to sharing this experience with them more than anything else."
The Fossum Invitational presented by Johnny Rockets begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start on Saturday, April 22, while the final round will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 23. Follow the leaderboard live at golfstat.com, and visit msuspartans.com for complete results.
