MCC golf set to host 3rd annual Lou Hart Invitational

(MERIDIAN) -The Meridian Community College golf team will be hosting the 3rd annual Lou Hart Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, April 4-5 at Northwood Country Club in Meridian.

Ten teams representing five states are set to participate in the event named in honor of former MCC golf coach and Hall of Fame member, Lou Hart.

“We started this event three years ago to honor all Coach Hart has done for this program,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

“Annually, we have teams from all over the country participate and that’s a testament to Coach Hart and the program she built.”

“Teams also rave about the condition of Northwood and the beauty of the course, they love coming to play here.”

Teams scheduled to participle along with MCC include: Abraham Baldwin College, Andrew College, Central Alabama Community College, Darton College, Faulkner State Community College, Georgia Military College, Indian Hills Community College, University of New Orleans, and Wallace State Community College.

“We have another strong field of teams coming to Northwood,” said Covich.

“We have the top three teams in the national poll here this week and most of these sophomores have already signed to play NCAA DI golf.”

“We’re excited, it’s going to be a challenge but I invite everyone out to watch these future stars.”

Meridian is coming off a runner-up finish at the 10th annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling College Classic. So far on the season MCC has registered four wins and two runner-up finishes. Currently the Eagles are ranked No. 2 in the nation by GolfStat.com.

Freshman Jake Stirling, who is averaging under par for the Eagles this season, will start in the No. 1 spot for MCC. The Melbourne, Australia native has posted seven consecutive rounds of even-par or lower heading into this week’s event. He has been MCC’s low score at four tournaments this season, including one medalist title.

Sophomore team captain Clemens Dvorak will start in the No. 2 spot for MCC. Dvorak, who plans to sign with NCAA DI program Georgia State University in April, has posted eight rounds of even-par or lower this season.

Sophomore Brandt Garon, who has won four career tournaments for MCC, will start in the No. 3 spot. The defending NJCAA national champion has committed to play for NCAA DI program, University of Louisiana Lafayette.

Sophomore Adam Monsen and freshman Easton Key will round out the starting lineup in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots respectively. Monsen has already captured two tournaments during his career as an Eagle and is expected to sign with the University of Louisiana Monroe in April. Key, a former Lamar standout from Meridian, holds the record for lowest score in school history (65).

Freshman Alex Grannon, sophomore Bo Reed and sophomore Oscar Mariscal will play as individuals for MCC.

The 54-hole event will start on Monday at 8 a.m. with play scheduled for 36 holes. The final round will be played on Tuesday starting at 8 a.m. with an awards ceremony following the conclusion of play.