Eighteen of the nation’s strongest intercollegiate golf programs will converge into one place this weekend to compete in the 29th Annual Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational. Regarded as one of college golf’s premier intercollegiate tournaments, the 54-hole tournament will run March 14-16, at the par-72, 6,962-yard Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Ga.
Historically showcasing some of the finest college teams and golfers that have gone on to compete professionally, this year’s tournament is no less teeming with talent that welcomes five of the nation’s top 15 teams, seven ranked in the top 25, and 12 in the top 50, according to the latest GolfWeek polls.
The field includes (with ranking): Alabama (2), Tennessee (8), Auburn (11), Florida (12), Michigan State (15), South Carolina (20), North Carolina (23), Alabama-Birmingham (29), North Carolina State (38), Augusta State (44), North Florida (46), Louisiana State (48), Kentucky (60), Minnesota (62), Notre Dame (72), host Georgia Southern (98), New Mexico (108) and Boston College (187).
Making their first appearance in the tournament are UAB, Boston College, North Florida and Notre Dame.
Top individuals include (with ranking): Michael Thompson - Alabama (2), Ryan Brehm - Michigan State (4), Kevin O'Connell - North Carolina (15), Clayton Rask - Minnesota (20), Jay Moseley - Auburn (21), Matthew Swan - Alabama (24), Billy Horschel - Florida (28), Matt Hill - North Carolina State (29), Jake Amos - Augusta State (31), Matt Hughes - Alabama (33), Mark Harrell - Alabama (36), Chris Paisley - Tennessee (38), Tyler Brown - Florida (39), Manuel Villegas - Florida (41), and Mark Anderson - South Carolina (46), according to Golfweek.
The activities will commence Thursday morning with practice rounds that begin at 9 a.m. Unlike past tournaments where 54 holes were scheduled into two days, this year’s format will feature three days of 18-hole competition played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tee time is slated for 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s tee time is 8 a.m. The weekend’s activities will conclude Sunday with an awards ceremony beginning at approximately 3 p.m.
Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
Georgia Southern is seeking its first tournament championship in its 29 years of playing host, having placed in the top five 13 times, including a runner-up finish by just four strokes in 2001. Though the team title has eluded the Eagles over the years, Georgia Southern claims two individual medalists, including Jimmy Ellis (1973) and Richie Bryant (1989). Tying for firstst but coming up short in a playoff was Jon David Kennedy (2005).
Jenkins County holds off Portal
Portal had the bases loaded with one out in the seventh, but couldn’t push the tying run across, falling to Jenkins County 9-7 Tuesday in Millen.
Brett Rivers took the loss for PHS which fell to 1-3 and 0-1 in Region 3-A.
Derick Finch was 4-for-4 with five RBIs and a three-run home run for Portal. Luke Anderson went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Rivers was 3-for-4 with and RBI, Nolan Clark was 2-for-4, Corey Deloach was 2-for-4, Cody Cowart was 1-for-4, Kick Barnes was 1-for-3 and Mickey Williams was 1-for-5.
The Panthers return home Thursday for another big region contest, hosting Savannah Country Day.
SEB golf starts 2-0
The Southeast Bulloch golf teams got off to a 2-0 start this season with a win over Claxton Tuesday at Southern Links golf course.
Kirsten Smith shot a 54 over nine holes to pace the Lady Yellow Jackets. Robert Fields had a 43 for the boys’ team.
Last Thursday SEB defeated Bryan County at Black Creek in Pembroke. Smith shot a 43 that day and Fields and Conner Reanes both shot a 50.
Southeast will begin Region 3-AA play on Tuesday, traveling to Swainsboro to face the Tigers and Josey.
Gator golf finishes third
VIDALIA — Bulloch Academy senior Mark Rocker fired a 74 to lead the Bulloch Academy golf team to a third-place finish at Rocky Creek Golf Club Monday.
Rocker missed low medalist honors by one stroke in the seven-team meet. Other BA finishers were Trey Elerson (88), Jordan Herrington (89) and Beau Howard (109).
The Gators travel to Waynesboro Thursday to play in a multi-team match at the Waynesboro Country Club.
Screven comes back on Laney
Screven County got a big time relief performance from Cameron Hayden and erased a five-run deficit Tuesday to beat Laney 9-7 in its Region 3-AA opener.
Hayden pitched 5 1/3 innings after coming in during the second inning. He struck out 10, surrendered just two hits and no runs.
While Hayden was shutting down Laney, Walker Stewart had a three RBI triple, John Rash was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, Michael Johnson was 2-for-4 with two runs and Andrew Reddick was 2-for-4 for SCHS (3-3, 1-0).
The Gamecocks host Burke County today at 6 p.m.
Eagle soccer signs Madigan
Georgia Southern head men’s soccer coach Kevin Kennedy announced the signing of Joey Madigan of Centennial, Colo. to the 2008 Eagle soccer squad.
Madigan played for Real Colorado U18 National, winning the 2007 Far West Region IV title. The 5-9 midfielder/forward helped lead his team to the state semifinals four consecutive years (2004-07), culminating in a Colorado state title in 2007.
In high school action, Madigan earned all-Continental league honors all four years (2004-07), including being named league player of the year by the Colorado High School Activities Association as a senior. His team produced a pair of league championships, a state semifinal appearance, and a state high school ranking of No. 9 during his time at Arapahoe HS. He was twice named all-state and was tabbed to the all-region VII (Rocky Mountain) NSCAA/adidas team to cap off his prep career.
Portal Middle tops Reidsville
The Portal Middle School baseball team knocked off Reidsville 7-6 on Tuesday.
Lane Anderson was 2-for-2 with three RBIS and Corey Walker was 3-for-4. Walker also was the winning pitcher.
The Panthers (2-1 in region play) return to the diamond on Friday, hosting Jenkins County at 4 p.m.
SprintSouth registration
Registration for the SprintSouth track team is now open for this upcoming summer.
Go to www.sprintsouthtrack.com for more details.
SEB Hall of Fame inductions
Southeast Bulloch High School will induct new members into its Hall off Fame on Saturday, April 19.
For details and ticket information on the 7 p.m. ceremony, call Bobby Costlow at (912) 842-5412.
GSU Hall of Fame nominations
Georgia Southern University Athletics is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Class.
The Hall of Fame selection criteria includes: a 10-year eligibility moratorium for all student-athletes and five years for coaches and administrators. Nominees must also have made a significant contribution to the success of Georgia Southern Athletics.
Those wanting to nominate former Eagles can submit names via e-mail to Lanell VanLandingham at Lanellv@georgiasouthern.edu. Please include Hall of Fame Nomination in the subject line. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 30.
The 2008 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted on September 26-27.
If you have a score to report, please call the Herald Sports Desk at (912) 489-9408.
Historically showcasing some of the finest college teams and golfers that have gone on to compete professionally, this year’s tournament is no less teeming with talent that welcomes five of the nation’s top 15 teams, seven ranked in the top 25, and 12 in the top 50, according to the latest GolfWeek polls.
The field includes (with ranking): Alabama (2), Tennessee (8), Auburn (11), Florida (12), Michigan State (15), South Carolina (20), North Carolina (23), Alabama-Birmingham (29), North Carolina State (38), Augusta State (44), North Florida (46), Louisiana State (48), Kentucky (60), Minnesota (62), Notre Dame (72), host Georgia Southern (98), New Mexico (108) and Boston College (187).
Making their first appearance in the tournament are UAB, Boston College, North Florida and Notre Dame.
Top individuals include (with ranking): Michael Thompson - Alabama (2), Ryan Brehm - Michigan State (4), Kevin O'Connell - North Carolina (15), Clayton Rask - Minnesota (20), Jay Moseley - Auburn (21), Matthew Swan - Alabama (24), Billy Horschel - Florida (28), Matt Hill - North Carolina State (29), Jake Amos - Augusta State (31), Matt Hughes - Alabama (33), Mark Harrell - Alabama (36), Chris Paisley - Tennessee (38), Tyler Brown - Florida (39), Manuel Villegas - Florida (41), and Mark Anderson - South Carolina (46), according to Golfweek.
The activities will commence Thursday morning with practice rounds that begin at 9 a.m. Unlike past tournaments where 54 holes were scheduled into two days, this year’s format will feature three days of 18-hole competition played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tee time is slated for 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s tee time is 8 a.m. The weekend’s activities will conclude Sunday with an awards ceremony beginning at approximately 3 p.m.
Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
Georgia Southern is seeking its first tournament championship in its 29 years of playing host, having placed in the top five 13 times, including a runner-up finish by just four strokes in 2001. Though the team title has eluded the Eagles over the years, Georgia Southern claims two individual medalists, including Jimmy Ellis (1973) and Richie Bryant (1989). Tying for firstst but coming up short in a playoff was Jon David Kennedy (2005).
Jenkins County holds off Portal
Portal had the bases loaded with one out in the seventh, but couldn’t push the tying run across, falling to Jenkins County 9-7 Tuesday in Millen.
Brett Rivers took the loss for PHS which fell to 1-3 and 0-1 in Region 3-A.
Derick Finch was 4-for-4 with five RBIs and a three-run home run for Portal. Luke Anderson went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Rivers was 3-for-4 with and RBI, Nolan Clark was 2-for-4, Corey Deloach was 2-for-4, Cody Cowart was 1-for-4, Kick Barnes was 1-for-3 and Mickey Williams was 1-for-5.
The Panthers return home Thursday for another big region contest, hosting Savannah Country Day.
SEB golf starts 2-0
The Southeast Bulloch golf teams got off to a 2-0 start this season with a win over Claxton Tuesday at Southern Links golf course.
Kirsten Smith shot a 54 over nine holes to pace the Lady Yellow Jackets. Robert Fields had a 43 for the boys’ team.
Last Thursday SEB defeated Bryan County at Black Creek in Pembroke. Smith shot a 43 that day and Fields and Conner Reanes both shot a 50.
Southeast will begin Region 3-AA play on Tuesday, traveling to Swainsboro to face the Tigers and Josey.
Gator golf finishes third
VIDALIA — Bulloch Academy senior Mark Rocker fired a 74 to lead the Bulloch Academy golf team to a third-place finish at Rocky Creek Golf Club Monday.
Rocker missed low medalist honors by one stroke in the seven-team meet. Other BA finishers were Trey Elerson (88), Jordan Herrington (89) and Beau Howard (109).
The Gators travel to Waynesboro Thursday to play in a multi-team match at the Waynesboro Country Club.
Screven comes back on Laney
Screven County got a big time relief performance from Cameron Hayden and erased a five-run deficit Tuesday to beat Laney 9-7 in its Region 3-AA opener.
Hayden pitched 5 1/3 innings after coming in during the second inning. He struck out 10, surrendered just two hits and no runs.
While Hayden was shutting down Laney, Walker Stewart had a three RBI triple, John Rash was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, Michael Johnson was 2-for-4 with two runs and Andrew Reddick was 2-for-4 for SCHS (3-3, 1-0).
The Gamecocks host Burke County today at 6 p.m.
Eagle soccer signs Madigan
Georgia Southern head men’s soccer coach Kevin Kennedy announced the signing of Joey Madigan of Centennial, Colo. to the 2008 Eagle soccer squad.
Madigan played for Real Colorado U18 National, winning the 2007 Far West Region IV title. The 5-9 midfielder/forward helped lead his team to the state semifinals four consecutive years (2004-07), culminating in a Colorado state title in 2007.
In high school action, Madigan earned all-Continental league honors all four years (2004-07), including being named league player of the year by the Colorado High School Activities Association as a senior. His team produced a pair of league championships, a state semifinal appearance, and a state high school ranking of No. 9 during his time at Arapahoe HS. He was twice named all-state and was tabbed to the all-region VII (Rocky Mountain) NSCAA/adidas team to cap off his prep career.
Portal Middle tops Reidsville
The Portal Middle School baseball team knocked off Reidsville 7-6 on Tuesday.
Lane Anderson was 2-for-2 with three RBIS and Corey Walker was 3-for-4. Walker also was the winning pitcher.
The Panthers (2-1 in region play) return to the diamond on Friday, hosting Jenkins County at 4 p.m.
SprintSouth registration
Registration for the SprintSouth track team is now open for this upcoming summer.
Go to www.sprintsouthtrack.com for more details.
SEB Hall of Fame inductions
Southeast Bulloch High School will induct new members into its Hall off Fame on Saturday, April 19.
For details and ticket information on the 7 p.m. ceremony, call Bobby Costlow at (912) 842-5412.
GSU Hall of Fame nominations
Georgia Southern University Athletics is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Class.
The Hall of Fame selection criteria includes: a 10-year eligibility moratorium for all student-athletes and five years for coaches and administrators. Nominees must also have made a significant contribution to the success of Georgia Southern Athletics.
Those wanting to nominate former Eagles can submit names via e-mail to Lanell VanLandingham at Lanellv@georgiasouthern.edu. Please include Hall of Fame Nomination in the subject line. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 30.
The 2008 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted on September 26-27.
If you have a score to report, please call the Herald Sports Desk at (912) 489-9408.
