KU Set to Compete in 2010 Big 12 Championship at Whispering Pines

April 21, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

The Kansas men’s golf team will attempt to build off a strong spring season as they head to Trinity, Texas and Whispering Pines Golf Club to compete in the 2010 Big 12 Championship April 23-25.

The Jayhawks enter the event coming off three-straight top-five team finishes. Head Coach Kit Grove will use the lineup of senior Bryan Hackenberg, junior Nate Barbee and freshmen Chris Gilbert, Alex Gutesha and Dan Waite.

Nate Barbee, who rested in the Jayhawks’ final event at the Missouri Intercollegiate, will once again look to lead the Jayhawks. Barbee earned eight top-10 finishes on the season and his 71.86 scoring average ranks fifth among all Big 12 golfers.

“Nate is really looking forward to competing against the elite players in our conference,” said head coach Kit Grove. “He played at Whispering Pines as a freshman and he really liked the course so hopefully he can put in a good showing this week.”

The three Jayhawk freshmen have combined for eight top-20 finishes this season entering their first Big 12 Championship.

“I think our freshmen really came on during the spring season and started to understand their roles,” Grove said. “If they continue to play well I think we have a good chance to surprise some people this weekend.”

Senior Bryan Hackenberg rounds out Grove’s lineup and Hackenberg has produced a steady senior campaign that has featured three top-10 finishes.

In KU’s last visit to Whispering Pines in 2008 for the Big 12 Championship, the Jayhawks placed sixth and finished tops among all Big 12 North teams.

Number one ranked Oklahoma State has won the Big 12 Championship the last three years, including a 14-stroke victory in 2009 over Colorado.

The Big 12 Championship will be played over 72 holes, with 36 holes on April 23, followed by single rounds on April 24 and 25.

Check back to kuathletics.com for complete coverage of the 2010 Big 12 Championship.