Eagles set to host Jim Redgate Invitational at Briarwood

(MERIDIAN) – The Meridian Community College Eagle golf team returns to competition on Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 28-29 in the Jim Redgate Invitational. The 54-hole event is being hosted by MCC and will take place at Briarwood Country Club.

The Eagles are coming off a record setting round last week as MCC shot a school record -13 under par (275) in round three of the Wallace State Invitational. MCC freshman, Brandt Garon, won the medalist title with a 54-hoe total of -11 under par (68-71-66).

“Obviously we have a lot of confidence from that last round ,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

“But we still cam e up short of the team title and that’s something that will hopefully drive us to work even harder for a win.”

Belhaven, Central Alabama, Darton, East Central, Faulkner State, University of Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Pearl River, Spring Hill, and Wallace State will join MCC in the field this week at Briarwood.

The format for the event will be five players competing and counting the lowest four scores turned in after each round.

“This is one of the strongest fields in all of Junior College golf,” said Covich.

“There are over ten national championships teams represented here, and a lot of these guys will go on to play NCAA DI golf, so I encourage folks to come out and watch because a few have already signed with SEC teams.”

NJCAA DI All American, Garrett Westbrook, and freshman Brandt Garon, will highlight the MCC starting line-up.

MCC’s Fall Invitational is named after longtime founding father of MCC golf, Coach Jim Redgate who started coaching MCC golf and basketball back in 1971. He led the Eagles to the first MACJC State Championship in any sport (golf) back in 1972 and went on to win three-straight state titles in the 1970’s as head golf coach.

“We’re honored to have had two Hall of Fame coaches in our proud history,” said Covich.

“We look forward to having both our Fall Invitational and Spring Invitational named in honor of our two great coaches. Jim Redgate and Lou Hart.”

Central Alabama won last years MCC Fall Invitational by 15 strokes over Darton and Wallace State.

Play will begin at 7:30 AM each day. First place and second place teams will be awarded along with individual medalist honors and five all tournament team awards.


2009 Jim Redgate Invitational hosted by Meridian Community College Date: Mon.-Tues., Sept. 28-29, 2009

Site: Briarwood Country Club/ Meridian, Miss.

Course Information: 6,805 (Par 72)

Format: College Team Stroke Play/54 holes (36 on Monday, 18 on Tuesday)

2009 Field (Division): Belhaven College (NAIA DI), Central Alabama (NJCAA DI), Darton College (NJCAA DII), East Central (NJCAA DII), Faulkner State (NJCAA DI), Meridian (NJCAA DI), University of Mobile (NAIA DI), Mississippi Gulf Coast (NJCAA DII), Pearl River (NJCAA DII), Spring Hill (NAIA DI), Wallace State (NJCAA DI)

Previous Winners:
1998-Shelton State
1999-Faulkner State
2000-Faulkner State
2001-Meridian
2002-Faulkner State
2003- Univ. of Mobile
2004-Meridian
2005-Katrina
2006-Meridian
2007-Miss. Gulf Coast
2008-Central Alabama