University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Open Chicago Tourney Sunday
September 25, 2010 | Men's Golf
Sept. 25, 2010
Tennessee returns to the golf course this weekend at the Windon Memorial Classic, set for Sunday and Monday in the Chicago suburban village of Glenview, Ill.
North Shore Country Club, playing to a par of 71 at 7,067 yards, is the tournament site for the fourth time in 14 years and for the second time in the last three years.
The Vols finished seventh at this event last year and would like nothing better than a jump-start to the 2010 campaign. Two weeks ago in Georgia, UT placed eighth while trying to defend its title at the season-opening Carpet Capital Collegiate.
Head coach Jim Kelson is staying with four of his five golfers from the Carpet Capital, penciling in Robin Wingardh, Jay Vandeventer, Darren Renwick and Brandon Rodgers. This weekend's newcomer to the lineup is junior Justin Walker.
Wingardh was Tennessee's top individual finisher two weeks ago, tying for 15th place on the strength of his 73-69-75--217 showing. The senior captain tied for ninth a year ago at the Windon and now owns 18 career top-20 finishes.
Vandeventer is making his Windon debut. The sophomore competed in 10 of Tennessee's 12 tournaments last year but not at the Chicagoland event. Vandeventer tied for 30th to open the season after shooting 71-73-78--222.
Renwick played better as the Georgia weekend progressed, shooting 78-75-74--227 to tie for 43rd place. The junior tied for 30th last year at the Windon, shooting 75-73-77--225.
Walker also tied for 30th at this event a year ago, firing a 77-75-73--225. He ended the fall portion of UT's 2009-10 schedule with a stroke average of 75.25 for 12 rounds.
Rodgers shook the opening-round jitters in Georgia to climb into a tie for 30th place in his collegiate debut. The Farragut product shot 80-71-71--222 and now earns a second consecutive start to begin his Big Orange career.
In addition to Tennessee and host Northwestern, other teams competing are California, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Indiana, Kent State, Long Beach State, Marquette, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Princeton, Purdue, Tulsa and UC Davis.
Play begins Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Central time with a shotgun start and continuous play for 36 holes. The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms and a high of 83 degrees.
Live scoring is available on UTsports.com through golfstat.com.
Players Mentioned
