Monday, October 17
Little Rock, Ark.
Abilene Christian
vs
Little Rock Invitational
Golfers prepped for Chenal, No. 4 Fall Tournament
10/14/2022 2:08:00 PM | Men's Golf
ABILENE, Texas - Abilene Christian golf visits the Chenal Country Club's Founder's Course next week for the 30th edition of the Little Rock Invitational. The Par-72, 7,115 yard event starts with two rounds Monday at 8 a.m. and concludes Tuesday with 18 holes.
The Wildcats' opposition features teams from Boston College, Central Arkansas, Florida Atlantic, Kansas City, Lamar, Michigan, North Texas, Oral Roberts, No. 54 Southern Miss, Troy, No. 66 ULM, UT Arlington, UTEP and No. 85 VCU. The host and 30th-ranked UALR Trojans have won their tournament the past two seasons and 10 times overall.
The Wildcats also have fared well there recently, placing sixth in both 2020 and 2021. Junior Zane Heusel cracked the top 10 a year ago with an even-216, and the year prior Alex Clouse tied for second place in a field of 86 competitors (7-under 209).
"We've had a good history there," said ACU head golf coach Tom Shaw. "It's more open than other courses, has good greens, and to the eyes it looks a little like Abilene."
Heusel - a two-time clubhouse leader this fall - and sophomore Charlie Jackson return to Little Rock as part of the Wildcats' starting five alongside freshman Thomas Buisson, sophomore Jamie Lewis, and first-year Karson Grigsby, who was ACU's leader earlier this month at the Trinity Forest Invitational (even-216).
With such a young lineup compared to previous years, Shaw says it's imperative for ACU to get off to a good start.
"We have to just play a little looser over the first 18 holes ... we don't have to do anything extraordinary or be too aggressive," he said. "Let's hit the fairways and greens, two putt, and avoid the big numbers. We'll be fine if our rounds have more consistency."
Shaw's underclassmen have claimed 65 percent of the starting spots this fall (18-out-of-20) and the ninth-year head coach believes his crew is gaining the traction and experience necessary to be better prepared for their demanding spring schedule.
"The team is finding its place and understanding a little bit more about the college game during each tournament," he said. "The competitions and courses pose greater challenges at this level, and the opposition is stronger and longer. So we're coaching them to focus on themselves, eliminate the bogeys and double bogeys, and score their best in a team environment."
The Wildcats' opposition features teams from Boston College, Central Arkansas, Florida Atlantic, Kansas City, Lamar, Michigan, North Texas, Oral Roberts, No. 54 Southern Miss, Troy, No. 66 ULM, UT Arlington, UTEP and No. 85 VCU. The host and 30th-ranked UALR Trojans have won their tournament the past two seasons and 10 times overall.
The Wildcats also have fared well there recently, placing sixth in both 2020 and 2021. Junior Zane Heusel cracked the top 10 a year ago with an even-216, and the year prior Alex Clouse tied for second place in a field of 86 competitors (7-under 209).
"We've had a good history there," said ACU head golf coach Tom Shaw. "It's more open than other courses, has good greens, and to the eyes it looks a little like Abilene."
Heusel - a two-time clubhouse leader this fall - and sophomore Charlie Jackson return to Little Rock as part of the Wildcats' starting five alongside freshman Thomas Buisson, sophomore Jamie Lewis, and first-year Karson Grigsby, who was ACU's leader earlier this month at the Trinity Forest Invitational (even-216).
With such a young lineup compared to previous years, Shaw says it's imperative for ACU to get off to a good start.
"We have to just play a little looser over the first 18 holes ... we don't have to do anything extraordinary or be too aggressive," he said. "Let's hit the fairways and greens, two putt, and avoid the big numbers. We'll be fine if our rounds have more consistency."
Shaw's underclassmen have claimed 65 percent of the starting spots this fall (18-out-of-20) and the ninth-year head coach believes his crew is gaining the traction and experience necessary to be better prepared for their demanding spring schedule.
"The team is finding its place and understanding a little bit more about the college game during each tournament," he said. "The competitions and courses pose greater challenges at this level, and the opposition is stronger and longer. So we're coaching them to focus on themselves, eliminate the bogeys and double bogeys, and score their best in a team environment."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Golf
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