Men's Golf Opens Season at Gopher Invitational
9/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's golf team begins its 2014-15 season this weekend (Sept. 7-8) at the Gopher Invitational in Independence, Minnesota. The 14-team field, which features seven schools that qualified for the NCAA Regionals last season, will be held at the par 71, 7,152-yard Windsong Golf Club.
The Spartans return six players with starting experience, including junior Mitch Rutledge, who tied for seventh at the Big Ten Championships and led the team with a 74.62 scoring average. He posted three top-10 finishes and five top-20 finishes and was recently named to the Big Ten Men's Golfers to Watch List.
Sophomores Gareth Lappin and Charlie Netzel were also recognized on the Big Ten Golfers to Watch List. Lappin compiled a 76.08 scoring average after playing in five of MSU's six spring tournaments. He went 3-0 at the Big Ten Match Play Championship and tied for 12th in his first appearance at the Big Ten Championships. Netzel was one of two Spartans to compete in all 12 tournaments last season. He posted a 75.62 scoring average and delivered two top-10 finishes.
The lineup for the Gopher Invitational will also include senior Jon Finley and sophomore Sam Weatherhead.
"Our guys are still pretty young, but they're guys who have played in big tournaments their whole lives," said MSU head coach Casey Lubahn, who is entering his fourth season as head coach of the Spartans. "We have big time physical tools, which is exciting for us. It kind of changes how we can play from a strategy standpoint; these guys have a little more firepower than we have had of late and we can use that, especially on the venues in the Midwest.
"Some guys stepped up big time in qualifying. I think we have a little momentum as of the last few days. We had a great weekend of prep up north and we're starting to see what we were planning on seeing."
MSU is making its fourth trip to the Gopher Invitational; its best-ever finish in the tournament was fourth in 2006. The Spartans placed 10th last season. This marks the 10th year of the Gopher Invitational and the second time at Windsong Golf Club.
"I think this tournament is the progression of our program," said Lubahn. "We've got a lot of talent with this roster - this is the deepest roster we've had since I've been here. If we're going to be the best in the league and the Midwest, we're going to have to play against the best. It creates going to Minnesota and a place that is comfortable for us and playing against top teams."
Live scoring of the Gopher Invitational will be available at BirdieFire.com.
Gopher Invitational Information
When: Sunday, Sept. 7-Monday, Sept. 8 - tee times starting at 8:30 a.m. ET both days
Where: Windsong Farm Golf Club - Independence, Minn.
Admission: Free
About the Course: Par 71 - 7,152 yards
The Field: Baylor, California, Central Arkansas, Charlotte, Kent State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, San Francisco, St. John's (Minn.), UAB, VCU
Live Scoring: BirdieFire.com
Players Mentioned
