University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols to Compete in Seminole Intercollegiate Monday
March 08, 2003 | Men's Golf
March 8, 2003
The Tennessee men's golf team travels to Tallahassee, Fla. to compete in the Seminole Intercollegiate, March 10-11. The tournament is being played at Golden Eagle Country Club (par 72, 6,847 yards).
Head coach Jim Kelson sees this tournament as an important test for his team in terms of the post season.
"This tournament is very important in terms of NCAA tournament qualification," Kelson said. "It will be important for us because of district rankings in the regionals."
Leading the way for the Vols at the No. 1 position is sophomore David Skinns. Skinns currently leads the Vols in stroke average. Through seven events, he has an average of 72.05 to rank him fifth in the SEC and 42nd in the nation. Ian Parnaby will anchor the No. 2 position. Parnaby has a stroke average of 72.34 and leads the team in rounds of par or better with 11.
Sophomores John-Scott Rattan and Ross McGowan will play at the three and four positions. Rattan has a scoring average of 74.52, while McGowan has a 74.50. The fifth position has yet to be decided. Senior Andrew Pratt (76.94) and sophomore Brandon Skeen (75.86) are up for the spot. The player who does not compete in the fifth position will compete as an individual.
The tournament features four teams ranked in the Golfweek Top 25; No. 6 Wake Forest, No. 11 North Carolina, No. 18 College of Charleston and No. 24 Tennessee. The rest of the tournament includes host Florida State, Alabama-Birmingham, East Tennessee State, Georgia State, Kentucky, North Florida, Ole Miss, Northwestern, South Carolina and Virginia.
Tennessee is coming off an eighth-t place finish at the Cleveland Golf Collegiate Classic in Los Angeles, Calif. UT turned in scores of 287293-288--868. Skinns led the Vols with scores of 71-74-71--216 to finish tied for 19th.
"So far this spring we have played mediocre golf," Kelson said. "Now is the time when we need to step up and play like we are capable of playing."
The Vols play 36 holes on Monday, with the final 18 on Tuesday.
Players Mentioned
