University of Houston Athletics
Men's Golf Hosts Prestigious Field
3/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
| VALSPAR COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL | |
|---|---|
| Lineup | Blair Hamilton Papito Gonzalez Vincent Martino Michael Perras Alan De Bondt Joshua Gibbons (Ind.) |
| Time | Monday, March 21 • 36 holes 8 a.m. shotgun start First-Round Pairings Tuesday, March 22 • 18 holes |
| Location | Floridian National Golf Club Palm City, Texas 7,114 yards • Par 71 |
| Live Scoring | Golfstat |
| Team Field | #36 Houston, #3 Illinois, #5 Florida State, #7 Florida, #8 Texas, #11 Clemson, #13 Oklahoma State, #17 USF, #18 South Carolina, #22 LSU, #23 Arkansas, #29 Texas A&M, #38 Memphis, #45 Georgia Tech, and #38 Kent State |
| Season Stats | Season Stats |
| Social Media |   |
PALM CITY, Fla. -- The University of Houston Men's Golf program will play host to one of the nation's premier events with the Valspar Collegiate Invitational at Floridian National Golf Club, beginning Monday morning.
All 15 teams in the Valspar Collegiate Invitational stand among the nation's top 50 in the latest Golfstat national rankings with four of the top 10 and 10 of the top 25. That illustrious field includes No. 3 Illinois, No. 5 Florida State, No. 7 Florida, No. 8 Texas, No. 11 Clemson, No. 13 Oklahoma State, No. 17 USF, No. 18 South Carolina, No. 22 LSU, No. 23 Arkansas, No. 29 Texas A&M, No. 36 Houston, No. 38 Memphis, No. 45 Georgia Tech and No. 48 Kent State.
The tournament begins with 36 holes Monday and continues with the final 18 holes Tuesday on the 7,114-yard, par-71 course. Fans can follow live scoring by visiting Golfstat.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
The Cougars enter the tournament after finishing second at the Border Olympics at Laredo Country Club on March 12. Sophomore Michael Perras tied for second at the rain-shortened event at 7-under-par 137 and was joined in the top 10 by senior All-American Blair Hailton and sophomore Papito Gonzalez.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Director of Golf Jonathan Dismuke recently announced the team's starting lineup for the Valspar Collegiate Invitational. Hamilton, Gonzalez, senior Vincent Martino and sophomores Perras and Alan De Bondt will represent the Cougars, while sophomores Joshua Gibbons, Logan Davis and redshirt freshman Carson Cavner will compete as individuals.
Hamilton stands second on the team with a 72.17 scoring average and 11 rounds of par or better.
Gonzalez has emerged as the Cougars' hottest current player. The McAllen, Texas, native has recorded top-10 finishes in three of his last four tournaments, capturing his first collegiate title at the President's Day Challenge on Feb. 15.
With his consistent recent play, the Memorial High product has moved into third on the team with a 72.38 average.
Martino has competed in seven tournaments to date, winning the season-opening Northern Intercollegiate with a Second-Round 66. The Southlake, Texas, native has posted a round of 69 in each of his last two tournaments.
Perras leads the Cougars with a 71.86 scoring average and 12 rounds of par or better. The Deer Park, Texas, native has enjoyed five top-10 finishes in eight tournaments this season, including three top-3 finishes in his last four tournaments.
De Bondt will compete in his seventh tournament this season this week. The Antwerp, Belgium, native enjoyed back-to-back top-7 finishes midway through the season at the President's Day Challenge and All-American Intercollegiate.
Gibbons has enjoyed top-20 finishes in three of his last four tournaments. The Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, native posted a Second-Round 66 at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational to tie for third and recently tied for 14th at the Border Olympics, thanks to a First-Round 68.
Davis has competed in seven tournaments to date this season, posting a pair of top-5 finishes. The Humble, Texas, native fired a Final-Round 66 at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational on March 1 to surge into a tie for second and help lead the Cougars to the team championship.
Joining the Cougars this season after transferring from Lamar, Cavner will make his collegiate debut this week.
UP NEXT
Following the Valspar Collegiate Invitational, the Cougars will compete at the 3M Augusta Invitational on April 2-3 at Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.
From there, the team will close out the regular season at The Maxwell Intercollegiate on April 16-17 at Dornick Hills Country Club in Ardmore, Okla.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarGolf on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonCougarGolf.
Players Mentioned
