MCC Golf to host annual Fall Invitational at Briarwood CC

(MERIDIAN) – The Meridian Community College Eagle golf team begins their 2008-09 season right at home on Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 8-9 in the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational. The two day, 54-hole event is being hosted by MCC and will take place at Briarwood Country Club.

The Eagles are entering into Division I play in the NJCAA for the first time in the programs history.

“This is probably the strongest field ever for a MCC hosted event. Central Alabama is a five-time NJCAA Div I National Champion, Darton College of Georgia is the three-time defending NJCAA Div II National Champion, Faulkner State has won the NJCAA National Championship in the past and is home of PGA Tour star Bubba Watson, then add in four-year universities like the University of Mobile, Belhaven College and William Carey University, it will make for an outstanding tournament field,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

East Central Community College and arch-rival Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will also be in the field this week at Briarwood.

This week’s tournament will be MCC’s only home event in the fall. Meridian will participate in seven fall events in 2008 including stops at Dancing Rabbit, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Huntsville and renowned Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion, IL.

The format for this week’s event will feature five players competing and counting the lowest four scores turned in after each round. Sophomore team captain, a former Lamar School standout, Clay Bounds will lead the way on MCC’s “Green” team. He is joined by freshmen Mark Drube, Nick Hawkes, Garrett Westbrook, and Cory Williamson.

Local players-Tyler Rainer and Matthew Stephens of West Lauderdale will headline the MCC “White” team along with newcomers- John Cleveland, Chris Cochran and Tanner Sparks.

Play will begin both days at 8:00 AM with a shotgun start. First place and second place teams will be awarded along with individual medalist honors and five all tournament team awards.