October 07, 2005
The Texas A&M men's golf team will compete in the Gary Koch Invitational Monday and Tuesday at Old Memorial Golf Club.
The tournament will consist of 36 holes on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. Play begins at 6:45 a.m (Central) both days. Highlights from Tuesday's final round will be shown on The Golf Channel on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. (Central).
In addition to A&M, the 12-team field includes LSU, Florida State, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia State, College of Charleston, Central Florida, North Florida, South Florida and Toledo.
Representing A&M will be freshman Bronson Burgoon, sophomores Robert Gates and Trey Todd, senior Jerad Harklau and junior Chris Massoletti. The Aggies are playing without senior standout Andrew Parr, who is representing Canada in The Spirit International Amateur Championship beginning Wednesday in Trinity, Texas.
"This is really a big tournament for our golf team for a number of reasons," A&M coach J.T. Higgins said. "First, the Koch always has a great field including Florida and the defending SEC Champion, Kentucky. Second, Old Memorial is a fantastic course that will test our talent, patience and mental toughness for all 54 holes. And finally, it will be our first tournament in over three years without Andrew Parr in the lineup.
"We are proud of Andrew for being selected to represent his country and play in such a prestigious event, but we will really need to play our best to make up for him being out," Higgins added. "The team we are putting on the course can compete and should have a chance to win this tournament but it is going to take the best effort from each player."
The Aggies won the Adams Cup of Newport in their last tournament in late September. Burgoon led the way with a runner-up finish while Harklau was fourth.