TUSCALOOSA ?? It’s back to the golf course for the University of Alabama men’s golf team as it will play its second tournament within eight days on Monday. Alabama will compete in the September 25-26 Shoal Creek Intercollegiate in Birmingham. It just finished play Sunday at the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic where it won the tournament’s championship with a 23-under-par finish.
Joining Alabama at Shoal Creek Monday and Tuesday will be the tournament’s host, UAB, Auburn, Baylor, Central Florida, Florida State, Georgia Southern, LSU, Michigan State, N.C. State, North Florida, Samford, Southern Methodist and Virginia.
Alabama, ranked No. 15 in the Golf World Coaches Poll and No. 10 by Golfweek, is taking the same five golfers to compete at Shoal Creek that it did at the Carpet Capital, including Michael Thompson, Mark Harrell, Thomas Hagler, Gator Todd and Matthew Swan.
“I think what we did last weekend definitely gives us some confidence,” said Alabama coach Jay Seawell whose team’s win came against a field that included nine Top 25 ranked teams. “Last week was a big week for us. I guess the key thing you realize as a coach though is, that was last week. This is a whole new week. But the players have had a good week of practice. I think they have handled the success properly. I think they’re looking forward to playing because they do have confidence, but I don’t think they are over-confident. So, I do think what we did last week is a huge help for preparation for this tournament.”
Seawell says his team is looking forward to playing at Shoal Creek.
“It’s a nice for us because we get to travel to Birmingham and get to play on a great golf course, a championship venue, like Shoal Creek. It’s just another test for our players to help get themselves ready for the year. It helps us for the SEC’s and for the NCAA’s to play such a great venue.”
Alabama will play in Birmingham again October 9-10 when it hosts the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate at Old Overton Club.
