AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Administaff Augusta State
Invitational returns to historic Forest Hills Golf Club this
weekend when ASU’s home event, in its 31st year of existence,
is contested on the Donald Ross-designed layout.
The two-day, 54-hole event gets underway Saturday, April 4 with an
8:30 a.m. shotgun start at Forest Hills. The third and final round
is slated to tee off at 9:00 a.m., on Sunday, April 5.
The 17-team field includes a total of 95 collegiate golfers. The
players will get their first look at Forest Hills on Friday
afternoon with a practice round beginning at 12:30 p.m.
FHGC is serving as the host venue for the first time since 2005.
Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Ga., played host to the event
from 2006-08.
ASU claimed the last tourney title played at Forest Hills in 2005.
The 14th-ranked Jags rallied from a seven-shot deficit over the
last three holes to overtake No. 3 Georgia and edge the Bulldogs
for the team title.
The field includes nine teams ranked in the top 50 of the nation,
including No. 12 Tennessee. The Volunteers, guided by former ASU
head coach Jim Kelson, are the highest-ranked team in the field.
No. 15 Central Florida, No. 28 Lamar and No. 35 Chattanooga are
also in the top 40.
ASU, ranked No. 42 in the nation after its victory Tuesday at the
Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate in Awendaw, S.C., is scheduled
to be paired with Central Florida and Tennessee for
Saturday’s first and second rounds.
The Jaguar lineup will include senior Janne Kaske, who captured his
first collegiate title with his individual win at Bulls Bay Golf
Club. Junior Jake Amos, sophomores Henrik Norlander and Carter
Newman, along with freshman Taylor Floyd, will round out the
lineup.
ASU senior Mike Keast, sophomores Olle Bengtsson and Jacob Carlsson
and freshman Brendan Gillins will compete as individuals.