Jayhawks finish regular season with title defense
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s golf will face its last test of the regular season at the Great River Entertainment Invitational, in Iowa City, Iowa, where senior Chase Hanna, junior Daniel Hudson, and sophomore Charlie Hillier led the Jayhawks to a victory last season. The event will take place April 15-16 at Finkbine Golf Course.
“You want to peak at the right time, but in golf you want to play your best in every tournament,” head coach Jamie Bermel said. “There’s only 13 chances to play, unlike getting 50 games. We need to be ready each week and each week has a different element.”
This marks the final regular-season event of Hanna’s career, playing in every tournament during his time at Kansas. He currently leads the squad, as the only member of the team with a scoring average one under par or better. Hanna will attempt to add on to his career-high single-season top-20 finishes, posting eight so far this year.
Leading the Jayhawks last season, Hudson finished in fourth at five under par at Finkbine. Hudson has accumulated a bit of momentum this spring, recording eight of his 12 rounds at even par or better, earning three finishes in the top-20 and two in the top-10.
Junior Daniel Sutton will be the third Jayhawk competing, also finding a rhythm through the last couple events, coming off of a tie for 12th finish where he was able to play all three of his rounds at even par or better. Sutton proves his reliability week after week, entering the event with a scoring average just under par.
Facing some struggles this spring, Hillier will look to break his slump and continue the momentum from his two-under-par final round at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic earlier this week. Hillier also found success at Finkbine last season, finishing in ninth place.
For the second straight week, freshman Andy Spencer will fill the final spot, while junior Jake Scarrow plays as an individual.
The 14-team field is highlighted by No. 11 Texas Tech, and will also include fellow Big 12 opponents Iowa State and Kansas State. Arkansas State, Denver, DePaul, Marquette, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota State, Texas Tech, Utah and UMKC will round out the competition.
“Up at Iowa, we have had some success,” Bermel said. “I have some Midwest guys who are comfortable with that type of course. Everyone traveling has played the course at least once or twice. It’s good to play Texas Tech up north. It offers different grass and a different type of golf course. But they are a good golf team and it is going to be a tall test for us.”
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