Jayhawks Prepare for Ram Masters Invitational
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Following a top-five finish at last week’s Rod Myers Invitational, the Kansas men’s golf team will travel to Fort Collins, Colorado to compete in the Ram Masters Invitational on September 21-22. With the significant increase in elevation, the 7,215-yard, par-70 course presents its challenges to opposing teams who have never played the course before.
However, the Jayhawks are no stranger to Fort Collins Country Club. This will be the third time in as many years Kansas has participated in the event, where a year ago they finished in second place, with a score of 859 (+19), behind host Colorado State.
“We are taking guys back that played it (the Ram Masters Invitational) last year, so obviously they know the course,” KU head coach Jamie Bermel said. “There are a couple of guys where this will be their third year. It is familiar, which is good, because playing in elevation there is an adjustment in how far the ball flies. The quicker they can adjust, the better.”
As one of the four players who competed in last year’s event, Kansas junior Chase Hanna will look to capitalize on his 211 (+1) score and second-place finish from a year ago. Last week, Hanna carded a 224 (+8) and finished tied for 31st and hopes to bounce back from last week’s performance.
Joining Hanna as Kansas’ veteran upperclassmen will be seniors Connor Peck and Ben Welle. Peck, who finished last week tied for 12th, looks to crack the top-15 once again at the Ram Masters. Last season he placed tied for 14th at the event carding rounds 73-74-70–217 (+7).
“He (Peck) is playing well right now and I know he played well out in Fort Collins last year. I think he’s playing with a lot of confidence,” Bermel said of his senior leader.
This will be Welle’s first event of his senior campaign and he will look repeat his performance from last season in Fort Collins. In his first two rounds at the event from a year ago, Welle recorded scores of 69 and 70, good enough to be one-under par after the opening day.
Sophomore Daniel Hudson rounds off the group of Jayhawks who has played this course in the past. Last year, Hudson’s consistent rounds of 75-74-74–233 (+13) had him finishing tied for 43rd.
The rest of the Jayhawks representing will be freshmen Charlie Hillier and Drake Hull. Hillier hopes to build off his performance at the Ram Masters, as he looks to finish with another top-20 appearance in his young career.
“Charlie is a pretty good ball-striker and is fairly consistent. He has a good short game and if he gets his putter warmed up, he could have a good week out there,” Bermel said of the talented newcomer.
This will be Hull’s first event playing as a collegiate golfer and he will compete as an individual in Fort Collins.
The 15-team field in the Ram Masters invitational is comprised of: Kansas, host Colorado State, Northern Colorado, Air Force, Denver, Fresno State, Illinois State, Abilene Christian, South Dakota State, Southern Utah, Utah Valley, Valparaiso, Weber State, Wichita State and Wyoming.
Tee of is set for 8 a.m. MT on Monday, September 21. For live scoring and up-to-date stats, the event can be followed at GolfStatResults.com.
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