Jayhawks To Defend Title at All-American Golf Classic

Feb. 20, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

The Kansas men’s golf team will attempt to defend its team title at the 2008 All-American Golf Classic when they travel to Houston, Texas on Feb. 25-26. The event will be conducted at The Tradition Course (par-72, 7,220 yards) at Cypresswood Golf Club.

“We are just looking forward to getting into some good weather again and allowing us to play a little bit,” said head coach Kit Grove. “It just has not been a good weather week at all for us.”

The Jayhawks won the event last year by compiling a three-round team score of 872. The team was led by former Jayhawk Gary Woodland who took home medalist honors with a score of 211.

The Jayhawks will be led this time around by freshman Brad Hopfinger who has recorded a top-30 finish in four of the first five starts of his young career. At the Jayhawks’ most recent event, the Hawaii-Hilo Invitational, Hopfinger shot an even-par 210 over the three-round event to tie for 26th place.

Senior Joey Mundy and junior Walt Koelbel will serve as the lone Jayhawks that have any prior experience at the event. Mundy, who will compete as an individual in the event, finished tied for 51st at last year’s Classic. Koelbel tied for 41st place at the 2007 All-American Golf Classic and played a key role in the team victory with a final-round score of 71.

Sophomore Bobby Knowles will try to build off his strong performance at the Hawaii-Hilo Invitational where he set his career-best 54-hole score with a 216. Freshman Nate Barbee will also attempt to better his career-best score of 217 at the Hawaii-Hilo Invitational at the All-American.

Junior Brandon Hermreck will make his Jayhawk debut at the All-American Golf Classic. Hermreck transferred from Wichita State and compiled an impressive 73.40 scoring average during his sophomore season.

There will be 54-holes played on Monday, Feb. 25, followed by the final-round played on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Check kuathletics.com for complete coverage of the event.