Jayhawks Set to Open Season at Fairway Club Invitational

Sept. 11, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Several newcomers will make their collegiate debuts as the Kansas men’s golf team travels to Nebraska City, Neb. to open the 2009-10 season at the ninth-annual Fairway Club Invitational at Arbor Links Golf Course.

The Jayhawks opened the 2008-09 season at the Fairway Club Invitational, finishing in third place. Junior Nate Barbee was the top finisher for the Jayhawks in last year’s event finishing tied for fourth.

“I am excited to get the season going. We conducted a 10-round qualifier and I was very happy with the results,” said head coach Kit Grove.

Grove will insert freshmen Alex Gutesha and Chris Gilbert into the starting lineup in the first event. The two newcomers will be joined by seniors Bryan Hackenberg and Patrick Roth and junior Barbee for KU.

Gutesha has been impressive in pre-season play and Grove feels that he, along with Gilbert; can help the Jayhawks improve on their 2008-09 campaign.

“Alex (Gutesha) did a good job of pushing Nate at the top of our lineup during the whole qualifier and I think if they push each other all year it will only make them better,” said Grove. “Chris (Gilbert) is a very consistent, level-headed player that will really help with the consistency issues we had last year.”

Another newcomer, Jeff Bell, and sophomore Ian Anson will be competing in the tournament as individuals.

The Jayhawks won the Fairway Club Invitational in 1999 behind the strong play of Ryan Vermeer. Vermeer’s three-round score of 202 is still the tournament scoring record for an individual.

The 12-team field will play 54 holes over a two-day period beginning Sept. 14. The players will play 36 holes on Monday, followed by the final round on Tuesday.

Check back to kuathletics.com for a complete recap and results after the conclusion of each day of the event.

Complete Field

Butler

Creighton

Drake

Illinois St.

Kansas

Missouri State

Nebraska

Northern Colorado

North Dakota

South Dakota State

UMKC

Western Illinois