Albuquerque, NM – The University of New Mexico men’s golf team is putting in the final preparations before competing in the 38th annual 3M Augusta Invitational, which is set for April 2-3.
The tournament is set to be a two-day event held on the par-72 7,005-yard course at Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. A shotgun start will be utilized the first day, while the tournament will end with tee times off the first and tenth tees. Both days competition will begin at 8:30 a.m.
This year’s field includes; Augusta, Central Florida, Coastal Carolina, Georgia, Houston, Illinois, Kennesaw State, New Mexico, Pepperdine, Presbyterian, South Florida, Tennessee, Texas, USC Aiken, and Virginia Tech.
Of the fifteen teams in this year’s field, eight are ranked inside the top-50 according to Golfstat.com. No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 Illinois headline this year’s list of competitors.
Last year, UNM earned the title of team champions a 26-under 838 (277-281-280) edging Illinois by three strokes. The Lobos were lead by Sam Saunders who finished T4 at 10-under 206 (66-70-70).
Despite the teams youth both Gustavo Morantes and Andrej Bevins have previous tournament and course experience after being part of the 2015 championship squad. Morantes finished in a tie for 25th at 2-under 214 (72-68-74) while Bevins finished at 8-over 224 (77-76-71), and in a tie for 62nd.
The 3M Augusta Invitational is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious collegiate golfing events in the country with a list of champions that includes Dustin Johnson (2007), Phil Mickelson (1989), Justin Leonard (1992), Chris Kirk (2005), David Skinns (2002), William McGirt (200), Heath Slocum (1996), and Tim Herron (1993).
The Forest Hills Golf Club carries a storied history. Established in 1926, the 18-hole course has a history stretched back to Bobby Jones beginning his Grand Slam of Golf in 1930 with a victory in the Southeastern Open. Originally designed by Donald Ross the course was renovated by the Arnold Palmer Company in 2004, the course offers traditional Southern topography with level, rolling fairways lined by trees.
Live Scoring will once again be provided via Golfstat here.
Lobos Look To Defend at Augusta
