Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Golf opens season at Butler Fall Golf Invitational
09/18/2005 | 12:00:00 | Men's Golf
Sept. 18, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men `s golf team tees off its season Monday, Sept. 19 at the Butler Fall Golf Invitational Indianapolis. This will be the first of five tournaments on the Salukis' fall schedule.
Sporting a 6,817-yard, par-71 layout, the tournament will be conducted at Eagle Creek Golf Club.
Making the trip for the Dawgs will be senior co-captains Sean McNemar and Roger Welch. Joining them will be juniors Andrew Gwinup and Braxton Weaver, along with junior transfers Mark Schmitz and Daniel Tomlin.
"We're going to be pretty strong, we're going to give it a shot," said Saluki head coach Leroy Newton. "Sean McNemar and Roger Welch should really step up and this should be a big step for Andrew Gwinup."
Of the returning Salukis, McNemar and Welch had the lowest stroke averages last season. McNemar averaged 74.70 in 27 competitive rounds while Welch posted a 75.33 average.
"Everybody is playing pretty good right now and we are going into it optimistic, trying to win a golf tournament," said Welch. "We don't go there to finish second, we want to win every tournament that we play in. We'll go in there, take it one shot at a time and see how it goes."
McNemar is also confident about the team's potential and is excited to show everyone what they have.
"You want to go into it and you want to show everybody what we have," said McNemar "We're just going to go in there and play our game. We are veterans on this team, we don't have any newcomers. We know how to get it done so we will be just fine."
Also looking to make a name for himself this season is Gwinup. The junior from Mahomet, Ill. carded a 77.04 stroke average in 25 rounds last year, but has worked extensively on his game over the summer.
"Gwinup had the low score in qualifying, but he has not had the tournament experience that others have. He's really got to take it to the tournament now. If he goes and shoots his number, we are going to be in great shape," said Newton.
Gwinup is ready for that challenge. After seeing limited action in the past, he is ready to make a big contribution to the team.
"I want to play well, but you want the team to win first and foremost. Winning as a team is most important," said Gwinup.
Newton is also excited about the addition of newcomers Schmitz and Tomlin. Schmitz comes to SIU after two seasons at Southeast Missouri while Tomlin follows a steady stream of Salukis that have come from John A. Logan College.
"Schmitz played for SEMO last year and he has been in Division I tournaments so I look to him to do a good job for us," said Newton. "Tomlin played in the nationals in junior college and he has been turning in some good scores. He is ready for the fire."
Tee times at the Butler Fall Golf Invitational begin at 8 a.m., Monday, Sept. 19 at Eagle Creek Golf Club.
