MCC golf unveils Division I spring schedule

(MERIDIAN) – Seven NJCAA Division I golf tournaments await the Meridian Community College golf team this spring. Much like every year, the Eagles will tee off against some of the nation’s best teams in each tournament.

“This year’s spring schedule will be a little bit different for us as since we are the only team in the State of Mississippi competing on the Division I level of the NJCAA,” said MCC head golf coach, Sean Covich.

“With that being said, we look forward to the challenge and we will work hard to represent Mississippi and Meridian in the NJCAA national championship.”

The season opens Monday and Tuesday (Feb 23-24) at the Faulkner State Invitational at Rock Creek Golf Club in Mobile, Ala.. MCC returns to the course for the first time in three seasons and it will be the fourth time MCC has faced Faulkner State this season (3-0 v. FSCC).

The second tournament comes March 2-3 as MCC will host the inaugural Lou Hart Invitational held at Northwood Country Club in Meridian. The tournament is named after former MCC Hall of Fame golf coach, Lou hart, who grew up playing the game at Northwood and is still heavily involved in golf around the area.

“This is one of the thrills of my young coaching career,” said Covich.

“To honor one of the best coaches in junior college golf history, my former coach, Lou Hart, it’s just a thrill. Also, having this event at her home course makes it that much more special. The members and staff at Northwood could not be more gracious to us; we are excited about hosting this event.”

Eight teams representing five different states (AL, IL, KS, KY, and MS) will be competing in the Lou Hart Invitational.

The third event of the season for the Eagle golf team will come at the Mississippi-Louisiana College Invitational in Delhi, La. Held at the Black Bear Golf Club, the tournament is played one on of Jack Nicklaus’ top designed golf courses.

MCC will then travel to Scottsboro, Ala. to face John A. Logan College in the inaugural, Battle on the Pond. This event, which will be held on March 12-13, will also be a first for MCC as the Eagles and the Volunteers from JALC will face off in a two day, 54-hole, Ryder Cup –style event at Goosepond Golf Course.

The regular season will end with a return trip to Scottsboro, Ala for the Eighth Annual Spring Fling Intercollegiate, hosted by Illinois Central College. This event, on March 20-22, will also be held at Goosepond Golf Course. 22 teams from across the nation are schedule to participate in this annual college event.

The Eagles will then advance to NJCAA postseason play as they will play in the NJCAA District V Championship on April 20-21 held in Cullman, Ala. at Terri Pines Country Club.

MCC will be making their first NJCAA Division I National Championship appearance in school history. The Eagles have participated in 11 Division II national championships, with three top three finishes, including runner up in the 1998 event. This season, Central Alabama and Wallace State will play hosts to the national event that will be held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail- Hampton Cove’s River Course from May 20-23.

“We’ve got a very exciting spring slate that’s as competitive as it can get in junior college,” said Covich.

The 2009 MCC golf team roster consist of two sophomores, Clay Bounds (Lamar School/Meridian) and Jarrod Moulds (Lamar School/Meridian) and six freshmen, John Cleveland (Madison Ridgeland Academy/Madison), Mark Drube (Covington High School/Covington, LA), Chris Cochran (Oxford High School/Oxford), Nick Hawkes (Southend High School/Essex, England), Tanner Sparks (Belmont High School/Belmont), Garrett Westbrook (St. Michaels Academy/Baton Rouge, LA), and Cory Williamson (Simpson Academy/Collins).

“I’m very proud of our two sophomores, Clay Bounds and Jarrod Moulds. These two young men have provided leadership on and off the golf course,” added Covich.

“The freshman have also stepped it up and gained a lot of tournament experience in the fall, this is a young team on paper but that will serve us well in the coming semesters.”



2009 Meridian Community College Golf Schedule
Day Date Event Course City/State

Monday-Tuesday Feb 23-24 Faulkner State Inv Rock Creek GC Mobile, AL

Monday-Tuesday March 2-3 Lou Hart Inv Northwood CC Meridian, MS

Monday-Tuesday March 9-10 MS-LA College Inv Black Bear GC Delhi, LA

Thursday-Friday March 12 -13 Battle on the Pond Goose Pond GC Scottsboro, AL

Thursday-Saturday March 19-21 Spring Fling Goose Pond GC Scottsboro, AL

Monday-Tuesday April 20-21 NJCAA District V Champ. Terri Pines CC Cullman, AL

Friday May 8 MCC Alumni & Friends* NAS-Ponta Creek GC NAS Meridian, MS

Tuesday-Friday May 19-22 NJCAA National Champ. RTJ Hampton Cove Huntsville, AL



*Fundraising Scramble