The defending Southern States Athletic Conference champion Dalton State men’s golf team opens the season this weekend in the 36-hole Blue Raider Fall Kickoff at The Pines at Lindsey Wilson.
A dozen teams are scheduled to participate in the two-day tournament. The course is a par 71 and will play at 6,650 yards.
In addition to the Roadrunners and the hosts from Lindsey Wilson, participating teams are Union College (KY), Huntington University (IN), Berea College (KY), Millsaps College (MS), West Virginia Tech , Brescia University (KY), Bryan College (Tenn.), Mt.
Vernon Nazarine University (OH), Indiana Wesleyan University and Campbellsville University (KY).
Three of the schools are ranked in the NAIA Preseason Top 25. Dalton State is 10th, Lindsey Wilson is 19th and Union College 21st.
“I can’t believe we are already here again,” said Coach Ben Rickett. “The start of another season is always such an exciting time. It’s a good chance to start the season on the right foot. The guys and I are excited about getting the seasons underway.”
Sean Elliott, Chase Jones, Levi Nix, Dalton Johnson and Adam Morris will make the trip to Kentucky. As in most college golf tournaments, five men will play with four scores counting toward the team score.
Elliott, a junior from Westfield, NJ, set NAIA records this spring in winning individual medalist honors at the national tournament. He also captured the NAIA’s Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer awards. Jones is a senior from Chatsworth, GA. Nix is a senior from Bluffton, SC. Johnson is a sophomore from Forsyth, GA. Morris is a freshman from Forsyth, GA. who just this past spring led North Cobb Christian to a Georgia State Championship.
After this weekend, Dalton State will return home to play as the only NAIA representative in the highly competitive Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic on September 11th, 12th and 13th at The Farm.
The defending SSAC champion women’s golf team will open the season on September 14th and 15th in the College of Coastal Georgia Invitational at Pine Lakes Golf Course on Jekyll Island, GA.