CHICO – After finishing third three weeks ago in the Golfweek Spring Invitational, the Chico State men’s golf team – ranked No. 3 nationally in Golfstat’s Head-to-Head Standings and the latest Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches Poll – is back in action this Monday and Tuesday, competing in the 54-hole Coyotes Intercollegiate Tournament, hosted by Cal State San Bernardino and taking place at Arrowhead Country Club.
Chico State will be sending six players to southern California to play in the Coyotes Intercollegiate Tournament, which gives the Wildcats a golden opportunity to plumb the depth of talent on their roster and finalize the team’s starting five as the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference tournament and the NCAA Championships approach.
“That’s what makes this tournament special,” Head Coach T.L. Brown said. “We have so much depth, that taking six players to southern California will help us find out who our top five players are. Everyone’s been working hard the past few weeks, showing a great work ethic despite the bad weather. This tournament will go a long way to determine which golfers have the heart to be there at the end.”
Sixteen schools – including nationally ranked Barry University, Western Washington, Western New Mexico and CCAA rival Cal State Stanislaus – will play with five man teams, with an individual golfer also competing. The Arrowhead Country Club course, normally a par 72, will feature a variety of pin and tee placement variations and will play as a par 70 during the Coyotes Intercollegiate Tournament.
Kyle Souza enters the tournament as Chico State’s top player – the sophomore from Livermore is averaging 71.6 strokes per round and is coming off a fifth place finish in the Golfweek Spring Invitational.
Monday’s opening day of the Coyotes Intercollegiate Tournament will feature 36 holes of golf, with 18 holes on Tuesday wrapping up the event. Chico State comes into the tournament having posted five straight top three finishes since the 2009-10 season opened last September.
