Jayhawks Return to the 30th Annual Louisiana Classics Invitational

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s golf team travels south to Lafayette, Louisiana, as the Jayhawks will compete in the 30^th Annual Louisiana Classics Invitational at the Oakbourne Country Club, March 2-3.

“I didn’t think we were good last week for a number of reasons, but think the guys will respond,” Kansas head coach Jamie Bermel said. “They know it is a benchmark after the first event as of what we did, where their game is at, what we can improve on.”

Kansas is coming off a 14^th-place finish at the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate, where junior Connor Peck finished in the top-20, playing as an individual. Peck’s game play was very consistent as he shot a three-round 219 (+3) finishing tied for 16^th.

“I like the state of Connor’s game, he has been very consistent,” Bermel said.  I think Connor felt that when he qualified at the Alumni match.        He was pretty much the sixth man.  That gave him a sense of urgency that he needs to play better and get back in the top-five.  Connor proved that he can do that.  I hope he continues his strong play.”

For the 30^th Annual Louisiana Classics Invitational, the Jayhawks will consist of juniors Ben Welle and Peck, sophomore Chase Hanna, redshirt freshman Brock Drogosch and freshmen Daniel Hudson and Spencer Painton.  Peck, Welle and Hanna played in the Louisiana Classics last year as the team finished 12^th with a three-round 899 (+35).

“Any time you get a second or third year look at the course, it certainly helps,” Bermel said. “I don’t think we played too well last year, there is a redemption factor as well. These guys will have a different mindset on the course; they re-did the greens after last year’s event.  It is a good test of golf and let’s see what we can do.”

The 30^th Annual Louisiana Classics Invitational will be played on a 7,098-yard, par-72 course at the Oakbourne Country Club with 36 holes on March 2 and the final 18 on March 3.  Kansas will be one of 14 teams competing including: Illinois, Illinois State, Kansas State, Kent State, host Louisiana, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, Northwestern, South Alabama, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss, Texas State and UTSA.

The tournament will be streaming live-action on holes No. 9 and No. 18 throughout the tournament.

 “Parents, grandparents, cousins, family members and fans can watch,” Bermel said.  “Hole No. 9 is a pretty interesting par 3 and the streaming adds a little flavor to the event.”

Free live-streaming of holes No. 9 and No. 18 are available at http://www.ragincajuns.com/watch/?Live=576

Live scoring for the tournament is available at www.golfstat.com

KUAthletics.com: The official online source for Kansas Athletics, Williams Education Fund contributions, tickets, merchandise, multimedia, photos and much, much more.