The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Open 2017-18 Campaign at Shoal Creek Intercollegiate
9/24/2017 | Men's Golf
Live Tweeting | Live Scoring | Round 1 Pairings
OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss men's golf team will travel to Birmingham, Alabama to open the 2017-18 campaign at the Shoal Creek Invitational presented by professional golfer Graeme McDowell.
The two-day tournament will be held at the par 72, 7,234-yard Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club and features a 12-team field that includes the host team UAB. The Rebels will tee off on Monday, Sept. 25 at 8:30 a.m. for their first 36 holes and be paired with players from UAB and Wake Forest.
The Rebels enter the 2017-18 led by junior Braden Thornberry, who competed at the NCAA Championships in May. Thornberry became the first NCAA champion in the history of Ole Miss golf after firing a four-round total of 11-under par (66-71-69-71-277) to capture the title. Last season, Ole Miss began at The Invitational at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina where they placed second out of 16 teams (279-282-295-856). The Rebels will look to top last season's opening performance as they travel with five returners and two newcomers to The Magic City.
Ole Miss' lineup will include senior Kerry Sweeney, juniors Beau Briggs, Josh Seiple and Braden Thornberry and sophomore, Ben Reichert. Sophomore Chip Getz and freshman Cecil Wegener will also compete as individuals.
Last season, Sweeney competed in all 14 tournaments, finishing with a 72.78 stroke average. The senior used a career-low 67 in the final round of the NCAA Austin Regional to shoot a 54-hole score of 216 (73-76-67), tying for 22nd individually and helping the Rebels advance to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2001.
Briggs made appearances in three tournaments last season, holding a 73.77 stroke average, which included a 74-75-71-220 to help the Rebels win the Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic. Fellow junior Seiple played in all but one tournament last season, holding a 72.95 stoke average and shot a career-best 54-hole score of 214 at three different tournaments.
Thornberry, the reigning NCAA champion, captured five individual titles last season in addition to becoming the first Ole Miss golfer to win the Haskins Award, which is given to the most outstanding men's collegiate golfer, after leading the nation in stoke average at 69.57.
Reichert will compete as a Rebel for the first time this weekend after joining Ole Miss from East Tennessee State where he competed in nine tournaments and earned Southern Conference All-Freshman Honors after producing a 74.08 stroke average through 26 rounds.
Malloy's Minute
"We are excited to get the season started and figure out where we are as a team. These guys have had a great fall camp and are eager to compete," Malloy said. "We had a taste of success last year, and I know that this group wants to pick up where we left off and have an even better year."
Ole Miss at Shoal Creek
At the Rebels' last appearance at Shoal Creek in 2015, Ole Miss placed ninth (298-289-298-885) led by alum Ben Wolcott. Thornberry, who was a freshman at the time, tied for 20th with former teammate Forrest Gamble after posting a 72-73-75-220.
Shoal Creek History
The Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course is internationally renowned, and has played host to two PGA Championships and one U.S. Amateur. The course is noted for a design that makes for challenging, yet fair play. And towering Double Oak Mountain offers a backdrop of beauty from any vantage point on the course, especially so when it radiates with color in the fall. Shoal Creek has served as the host to a number of historical events, including the 1984 PGA Championship, won by Lee Trevino. In 1990, the PGA Championship returned, and this time Wayne Grady was able to stave off runner-up Fred Couples for the win.
Shoal Creek has hosted a number of other important events as well, including the 1986 U.S. Amateur. In 1994, a young golfer named Tiger Woods helped Stanford win Jerry Pate's National Intercollegiate with a tournament-best individual score of 206. The club has also hosted such events as the 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Regions Tradition, one of five major events on the Champions Tour.
The Lineup
Beau Briggs, Junior
Ben Reichert, Sophomore
Josh Seiple, Junior
Kerry Sweeney, Senior
Braden Thornberry, Junior
Individuals
Chip Getz, Sophomore
Cecil Wegener, Freshman
The Field
Chattanooga
Georgia Southern
Kennesaw State
Liberty
Memphis
North Florida
Norte Dame
Ole Miss
South Alabama
Troy
UAB
Wake Forest
Tournament Schedule
Monday, September 25 (36 holes)
8:30 a.m. First Round Tee Time
Second Round begins following lunch
Tuesday, September 26 (18 holes)
7:30 a.m. Round begins
For all Ole Miss Men's Golf news and information, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissMGolf, on Instagram at OleMissMGolf and on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Golf.
Players Mentioned
