University of Tennessee Athletics
PREVIEW: Gifford Collegiate
October 30, 2015 | Men's Golf
TEAM LEADERBOARD | PLAYER LEADERBOARD | PAIRINGS
CARLSBAD, CALIF. -- On the heels of a season-best third place finish, the Tennessee men’s golf program travels west to compete in the 11th Annual Gifford Collegiate at the La Costa Legends Course in Carlsbad, Calif., Nov. 2-4.
The three-day tournament pits some of the nation’s top teams against each other as five top-30 programs and 10 top-60 programs are in the field.
Tennessee hopes to continue the momentum gained in its last outing at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate in early October. The Vols shot a season-best 3-under, marking its first under par tournament of the season, to collect the top-three finish.
Senior Chad Merzbacher looks to collect his third top-10 finish in four tries this season. He finished in a tie for seventh at the Carpet Capital Collegiate and in a tie for ninth at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate.
Merzbacher is the only member of the program that has played in two previous Gifford Collegiate tournaments. Although not at the same course as the 2015 location, Merzbacher finished tied for 21st with a 215 score (+5) in the 2013 edition and tied for 36th with a 221 (+8) as a freshman in 2012.
Three other members of the squad have competed at the Gifford Collegiate once. Jack Smith shot a 218 (+8) and tied for 32nd in 2013, while Michael Monroe shot a 223 (+13) and tied for 41st. In 2012, Michael Nagy posted a 10-over 223 en route to a tie for 41st.
Former Volunteer Rick Lamb took the Gifford Collegiate title in 2012, shooting a 6-under 207.
La Costa Legends Course is a par-71 and plays 6,996 yards. This marks the first time the event will be held at La Costa.
Tee times and pairings will be announced at a later date. Follow @Vol_Golf on Twitter for additional coverage.
Participating Teams (with GolfWeek Ranks as of Oct. 28, 2015)
5. Stanford
22. USF
26. San Diego State
28 Texas A&M
29. UCLA
31. Oregon
44. Tennessee
46. Arkansas
47. Washington
52. Northwestern
71. Colorado
80. Harvard
90. Marquette
96. San Jose State
143. Wisconsin
