Wake Forest Athletics
Demon Deacons Look For Three-Peat At General Hackler
3/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
March 12, 2010
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Wake Forest men's golf teams looks to make it three-straight victories at the General Jim Hackler Invitational this weekend which is being played at the TPC of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, SC.
The Demon Deacons have erased final round deficits each of the last two seasons to take home the title. In 2008, Wake trailed tournament host Coastal Carolina by 16 shots heading into the final round but fired the lowest round of the day, a superb 4-over 292 in breezy conditions, to claim the first of two victories that spring. Then last season, the Deacs trailed East Tennessee State by four shots with a round to play but got a 2-under 70 from senior Dustin Groves to help spur the comeback victory.
Once again, The Hackler features a strong field as seven of the 12 teams are ranked in the top-40 of the latest Golfweek/Sagarin ratings. Augusta State is the highest ranked team at No. 3. The Jaguars are coming off an impressive victory at the Seahawk Invitational where they won by 19 shots.
ACC-rival Duke is ranked 29th in the latest ratings while ETSU is No. 34, Pepperdine is No. 35, NC State is No. 36 and the Deacs are at No. 39.
In all, this will be Wake Forest's fourth trip to the General Hackler. In addition to the two wins, the team finished tied for seventh in 2004 behind Kyle Reifers' seventh place finish.
Head coach Jerry Haas' lineup this week will look similar to the lineup that went to the Seahawk Invitational, where the Deacs finished sixth. Senior Brendan Gielow will lead the way followed by sophomore Lee Bedford and freshman Evan Beck. Senior Travis Wadkins will play in the fourth spot and sophomore Daniel Meggs will round out the lineup in the fifth spot. Freshman Charlie Harrison will also be playing this week as an individual.
The first and second rounds of the 54-hole event will be played on Sunday, March 14, with the final round played on Monday, March 15. The forecast for the two days looks favorable with temperatures in the mid-60s and mostly sunny skies.
Golfstat.com will have live scoring of all three rounds. Be sure to check back to WakeForestSports.com for a complete recap after each round.
Players Mentioned
