Eagles release Spring schedule

(MERIDIAN, Miss.) - The No. 3 ranked Meridian Community College Eagles have released their 2011 Spring golf schedule according to head coach Sean Covich.

The Eagles participate in seven events which include two post-season championships. In addition, the Eagles will also have three scrimmage dates this Spring.

MCC will travel up the road to nationally recognized Dancing Rabbit Golf Club on Saturday, February 5 to play with the University of Mississippi men’s golf team. MCC and Ole Miss will scrimmage 18 holes at “The Rabbit.”

“This is a great opportunity for our guys to get looked at by SEC coach, Ernest Ross,” said Covich.

“I thank Coach Ross and the Rebels for this opportunity, plus we will have a chance to play on one of the best golf courses in the state.”

MCC’s first regular season event will take place Monday-Tuesday, February 21-22 at Rock Creek Golf Club in Fairhope, AL for the Faulkner State Invitational.

Last season, Eagle freshman Adam Monsen won the Faulkner State Invitational in a playoff as the Eagles claimed a top-five team finish (4th).

The Eagles will then participate in the Mississippi/Louisiana College Invitational at Black Bear Golf Club in Delhi, LA on Monday-Tuesday, March 7-8.

This will be MCC’s first appearance in the MS/LA College Invitational since 2009, where the Eagles claimed third.

MCC will then return to a familiar spot, Scottsboro, AL and Goose Pond Golf Club for the annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling Intercollegiate on Thursday-Saturday, March 17-19.

The prestigious event traditionally host over 20 teams, and MCC has claimed runner-up at this event in back-to-back seasons.

MCC will then play host to the 3rd Annual Lou Hart Invitational at Northwood Country Club on Monday-Tuesday, April 4-5.

Teams from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi are slated to participate in this year’s event.

The Eagles then travel to Jonesboro, AR to participate in an NCAA Division I men’s golf event hosted by Arkansas State University. The Red Wolf Classic played on Monday-Tuesday, April 11-12 at Ridge Pointe Country Club will feature an 18 team field of 17 NCAA DI’s teams and 1 NJCAA team (MCC).

“We feel honored to have been invited to this NCAA DI event for the second consecutive year,” said Covich.

“It is a great opportunity again for our players to be looked at first hand by DI coaches and will help the guys get a scholarship at the next level.”

MCC will then begin post-season play on Monday-Tuesday, April 18-19 at the NJCAA District IV Championship played at Willow Point Golf Club in Alex City, AL.

Since moving up divisions back in 2009, MCC has claimed back to back top three District finishes (3rd – 2009, 2nd – 2010).

“We played this golf course, Willow Point, during the spring and what a championship course it is,” said Covich.

“It is a great track, one of the best we’ve ever played since I’ve been here.”

A top five finish at Districts will qualify MCC for the their third consecutive trip to the NJCAA Division I Men’s Golf National Championship. This years national championship will be played in Odessa, TX on Tuesday-Friday, May 17-20 at Odessa Country Club.

Last Spring, MCC finished National Championship Runners-up behind the strong performance of then-freshman Brandt Garon who won the national championship medalist title in 2010.

The annual MCC Alumni & Friends 4-person scramble is scheduled for Friday, April 29 at Ponta Creek Golf Course in Meridian.

2011 Spring Golf Tournament Schedule
Date Event Course City
Feb. 5 MCC/Ole Miss Dancing Rabbit Golf Club Philadelphia, MS
Feb. 21-22 Faulkner State Invitational Rock Creek Golf Club Fairhope, AL
Mar. 7-8 Mississippi/Louisiana College Invitational Black Bear Golf Club Delhi, LA
Mar. 17-19 Ron Marshall Spring Fling Intercollegiate Goosepond Golf Club Scottsboro, AL
April 4-5 3rd Annual Lou Hart Invitational Northwood Country Club Meridian, MS
April 11-12 ASU Red Wolf Classic Ridge Pointe Country Club Jonesboro, AR
April 18-19 NJCAA District IV Championship Willow Point Country Club Alex City, AL
April 29 MCC Alumni & Friends Ponta Creek Golf Course Meridian, MS
May 17-20 NJCAA DI National Championship Odessa Country Club Odessa, TX