Men's Golf Geared for Season Opener in Wisconsin

Men's Golf Geared for Season Opener in Wisconsin

The Cincinnati men's golf team is headed north for its season opener at the Marquette Intercollegiate, which tees off Sunday.

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Men's Golf Geared for Season Opener in WisconsinMen's Golf Geared for Season Opener in Wisconsin
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati men's golf team is headed north for its season opener at the Marquette Intercollegiate, which tees off Sunday.

The three-day event takes place in Erin, Wisc.

Participating teams include Marquette, Augusta, Cal, Chattanooga, Dayton, Nevada, Penn State, Purdue, Texas A&M, UC Davis and Wisconsin. Three of those finished in the Golfstat Top-50 last season, led by No. 15 Texas A&M.

Cincinnati peaked at No. 25 and ended at No. 42, both program-bests, en route to earning its first-ever NCAA Regional appearance in Las Vegas. Fortunately for AAC Coach of the Year Doug Martin, he returns four starters (only exception: career-stroke-average leader Sam Jean) as UC begins its inaugural Big 12 season.

"We have had a great fall camp so far," Martin said. "We were able to play seven rounds of qualifying even with the early start. I am very excited to see this group compete. Erin Hills will present a great test of golf for this team. Week one always has some unknowns, but I feel good about the way we have prepared."

Butler transfer Connor McNeely gained a spot on the scorecard, joining returners William McDonald, Rylan Wotherspoon, Ryan Ford and Ty Gingerich. Freshman McKean Collins (Lexington, Ky.) will compete individually.

McNeely was second for the Bulldogs as a freshman with a 73.2 stroke average, including a fifth-place finish at the Big East Championship.

Gingerich led all current Bearcats with a 70.83 mark last year, helped by two top-five finishes. He joined Ford and Jean on the AAC First Team as well. Wotherspoon's 71.69 average was also the lowest by any UC freshman all-time.