MCC golf hosts inaugural Lou Hart Invitational this week

The Meridian Community College golf team is hosting the inaugural Lou Hart Invitational on Monday and Tuesday (March 2-3) at Northwood Country Club in Meridian.

Although the Eagles have hosted events at Northwood before, this one takes on a special meaning since it is named in honor of former MCC golf coach and Hall of Fame member, Lou Hart.

“Coach Hart has meant absolutely everything to this program,” said head coach Sean Covich.

“In the ranks of NJCAA golf, MCC is considered one of the top programs and that is directly attributable to Coach Hart. She put MCC golf on the national map and to this day still works to help this program out.”

Meridian is coming off a sixth place finish at the Faulkner State Invitational last week at Rock Creek Golf Club in Fairhope, Ala. So far on the 2008-2009 season MCC has registered four top five’s including a runner-up at the Mississippi College Fall Invitational.

The Eagles will hope to keep the momentum going when they enter this week’s event as Coach Covich will feature the same lineup that played last week. The five players have a collective 47 collegiate tournament appearances between them. Sophomore team captain Clay Bounds (Meridian) has made a team high 17 career appearances and classmate Jarrod Moulds (Meridian) has played in 12 events for the Green and White. Freshmen Nick Hawkes (Essex, England), Garrett Westbrook (Baton Rouge, LA) and Cory Williamson (Collins) round out the starting lineup. Freshmen John Cleveland (Madison), Chris Cochran (Oxford), Mark Drube (Covington, LA), and Tanner Sparks (Belmont) will play as individuals.

“Everyone in the five-man lineup this week has shot even-par or lower in a college tournament,” said Coach Covich.

“The potential to win is always there. In addition, I look for Clay and Jarrod’s experience at Northwood to serve us well.”

Seven teams from five different states are scheduled to participate at Northwood this week: Central Alabama (NJCAA Div I), Georgetown (KY) College (NAIA Div I), Independence (KS) Community College (NJCAA Div II), John A. Logan (IL) College (NJCAA Div II), MCC (NJCAA Div I), Rend Lake (IL) College (NJCAA Div II), and Wallace State (AL) Hanceville Community College (NJCAA Div I).

The first round of the tournament will be played on Monday with an 10 a.m. start off of #1. The final round will begin on Tuesday at 8 a.m. with an awards ceremony following the conclusion of play.