March 20, 2003

Complete K-State Tournament Notes in PDF Format
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Tournament No. 10

Dates: March 24-25 Par: 72 Yardage: 7,077 yards The Field: Kansas State, UC Irvine, Cal State Stanislaus, Colorado, Drake, Illinois State, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Pacific, Southwest Missouri State, Wichita State.

Spring Break on the Coast
The Kansas State men's golf team will have its annual week of spring break practice in California before it competes in the Stevinson Ranch Invitational, hosted by the University of Colorado on March 24-25 in Stevinson, Calif.

On the Wildcats' roster for the tournament will be junior Aaron Watkins, sophomore Matt Van Cleave, junior Greg Douglas, freshman Josh Persons, and junior A.J. Elgert. Sophomore Jonathan James will make the trip to compete as an individual.

Last Time Out
The Kansas State men's golf team posted a three-round total of 889 to finish 12th in the Louisiana Classics at the par-72, 7,002-yard Oakbourne Country Club. Sophomore Matt Van Cleave led the way for the Wildcats, carding a 1-under-par 215 to tie for 13th.

SMU shot a 6-under par total of 858 to win the team title. Tulsa was three strokes back in second place, with Texas A&M finishing third at four-over. Tulsa's David Inglis completed the tournament with an 8-under par 208 to win individual medalist honors.

A Look at the Ranch
Designed by John Harbottle III and George H. Kelley, the Savannah Course at Stevinson Ranch is a testament to the early days of golf architecture in America, containing the character and traditions of Scottish Links courses.

The Savannah Course was completed in September 1995 and served as the site of the 1996 and 1997 U. S. Open Qualifying. The course is the first in California to attain "Signature" status with Audubon International for it's dedication to environmental excellence and was presented with the Squaw Creek award by the California Golf Writers Association.

Last Year in California
K-State stayed steady to place third out of 16 teams at the 2002 Stevinson Ranch Invitational. The Wildcats shot a final-round 296 in windy conditions for a tournament total of 8-over par 872 (286-290-296), the team's best three round total of the spring season. Kansas State was just 11 strokes behind team champion Kansas, which shot a combined 3-under par total of 861 (287-283-291).

"This was the most complete 54-hole tournament our team has played all year," head coach Tim Norris said following the tournament. "We could have picked up a few shots in the second round, but overall we stayed very steady. The trip to California was a very positive one for us, and we hope to keep riding this consistency throughout the month of April."

Three K-State golfers, A.J. Elgert, Aaron Watkins, and Matt Williams, played their way into the top 20 in the individual medal race. Colorado's Ben Portie took home medalist honors after firing the tournament's best round of 6-under par 66 during the final round for a total 8-under par 208.

Where the Wildcats Stand
Kansas State is currently ranked No. 53 in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings with a 72.70 rating. Aaron Watkins is the Wildcats' top-ranked golfer at No. 46 with a 70.96 rating.