Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's golf set to open spring season on Monday
03/01/2009 | 12:00:00 | Men's Golf
March 1, 2009
By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki men's golf team opens the spring season Monday and Tuesday at the Grover Page Classic in Jackson, Tenn.
Southern Illinois will look to pick up right where they left off after posting the best fall season since 2003.
SIU won twice, and finished second, fourth and 6th at its five fall tournaments.
"We've stepped up the competition for the spring, but we expect to play just as well this spring," said head coach Leroy Newton. "The idea is to play consistent and continue to improve before the conference tournament."
The spring opener will take place at the 6,776-yard, par-72 Jackson Country Club and according to Newton the team is ready to get the season underway.
"This course sets up well for us, but being our first tournament we'll be a little disadvantaged against the team's that have played already," Newton explained. "Once we get further into the rounds though we'll be fine."
The Salukis begin the spring season a week earlier than last year, and have been able to practice outside as a result of the relatively decent weather the last few weeks.
"Preparation for the start of the spring has gone great," said Newton. "Last year at this time we hadn't been outside once, but this year we've played six or seven practice rounds. It's a little cool, and a little windy but we're very happy the weather has turned out this way.
In the fall, SIU had balanced scoring from tournament to tournament, and Newton said he looks for more steady scores this spring.
"We really have a balanced team and everyone contributes," said Newton. "What helped us in the fall was when one player was off, three others picked him up. At each tournament, everyone on the team has the capability to be the low-man for the day."
This will be the first of six tournaments in preparation for the Sate Farm MVC Championship hosted by Southern Illinois at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, Mo. at the end of April.
"We're excited to start the season and get out and play," said Newton. "We'll be playing some great golf courses that will help us get better and prepare for the MVC Championship."
The Grover Page Classic will begin on Monday morning with 36 holes, followed by 18 holes on Tuesday.
