Wake Forest University
Southwestern Invitational
Deacs Begin Spring Season at Southwestern Invitational
1/29/2023 10:38:00 PM | Men's Golf
The Demon Deacons start the spring season on the national stage as portions of all three rounds will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – The Wake Forest men's golf team is scheduled to begin their spring slate of the season at the Southwestern Invitational, starting Monday, Jan. 30 and running through Wednesday, Feb. 1.
The reigning ACC Champions and NCAA Regional Champions will be led by junior Michael Brennan who has four career individual victories with a pair of wins in each of his two seasons in Winston-Salem. Over the winter, he claimed a third-place finish at the prestigious Jones Cup, ending the tournament at 8-under-par.
Last season, Brennan had quite a run toward the individual title at the Southwestern Invitational, carding his third consecutive 70 (-2) to finish tied for second on the individual leaderboard. Additionally, he was the only player in the field to have a score of 70 or better in each of the three rounds.
The Demon Deacons finished fifth on the leaderboard as Brennan will be joined in the lineup by sophomore Scotty Kennon who was also in the Deacs' lineup for the Southwestern a season ago.
Making his debut in the Wake Forest lineup this week will be fellow sophomore Collin Adams. Adams earned his spot via qualifying leading into the tournament. He has a 72.83 stroke average in two events this season including claiming a top-20 finish at the Maui Jim Individual in September.
All three days, Golf Channel will air College Central from 4:00-4:30 p.m. ET, followed by live coverage of the Southwestern from 4:30-7:30 p.m. ET.
Tomorrow's first round is scheduled for a 11:00 a.m. (ET) start as Wake Forest tees off between holes No. 1. The Demon Deacons will be paired with Arizona State, Oregon and Washington on the opening day of play.
THE DEACS' LINEUP
Brennan, who has now risen to No. 18 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, made his PGA Tour debut at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in February. That Monday, he earned a spot in the field as the only amateur, setting a Collegiate Showcase record Monday, shooting a five-under-par 66. He will look to claim potentially his fifth individual title, trying to join elite company in Wake Forest history. He was named a watch list member for the Fred Haskins Award to start the season.
Kennon had an impressive showing at the 2021 Old Town Club Collegiate Invitational. He was par or below in all three rounds of the tournament, finishing the week tied for ninth and nine-under par, the first career top-10 finish. Kennon picked up his second top-10 finish of the season at the Valspar Collegiate with the help of his best round of his young career. He finished eighth, firing a final round 64 (-7), moving up 20 spots on the final day of competition.
The sophomore was one of one of three Demon Deacons to be sub par for all three rounds at the 2022 NCAA Regionals, recording a 68-69-69 to place tied for ninth on the individual leaderboard at 4-under-par.
In his collegiate debut at the Maui Jim Individual, McLauchlan finished tied for sixth on the leaderboard. He was helped by turning in a debut round of 64 (-8) that was bogey free and included six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 ninth. He was tied for the lead after the opening round.
Before coming to Wake Forest, he participated in the 2022 U.S. Amateur at Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J and is also the reigning Jones Cup Junior Invitational champion.
As a freshman, Meisel competed in five events including a pair of events in the lineup, playing in the lineup at the Colonial Collegiate and the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate. He finished tied for 16th in Georgia while also placing in the top 25 four times during the season with his highest finish coming at the Old Town Club Collegiate Invitational where he placed 14th at 5-under-par.
This season Meisel has been in the lineup in three of four events with a 70.56 stroke average. In the Old Town Club Collegiate Invitational, he finished seventh at 4-under-par.
Adams is set to make his collegiate debut in the lineup for the Demon Deacons after earning his spot through qualifying. He has a 72.83 stroke average in two events this season including claiming a top-20 finish at the Maui Jim Individual in September.
Prior to Wake Forest, Adams qualified for the 2021 US Amateur and claimed the 2021 Carolinas Junior Champion among other junior level accomplishments.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
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Wake Forest
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No. 4 Arizona State,
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No. 14 Pepperdine
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No. 19 San Diego State
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No. 20 Texas
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Georgia
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Oregon
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San Jose State
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UCLA
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UNLV
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USC
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Washington
COURSE INFORMATION
Southwestern Invitational
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North Ranch C.C. - Lakes/Oaks – Westlake Village, Calif. – Par 72 – 6,992 yards
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Lakes Course
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Built in 1988, the Lakes, at 3,542 yards, is the longest of our three nines. Formerly known as the "Conway" nine, the fairways are more wide open than the others, with the greens having more subtle breaks than on the Valley or Oaks. The Lakes has one of Southern California's 18 toughest holes. The 234 yard, par 3, all carry over water, was voted one of SoCal's 18 toughest by Southland Golf Magazine.
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Oaks Course
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The Oaks is considered by many members to be our most difficult nine. At 3,400 yards, it is not long by modern standards, but not often does one find so much trouble on both sides of the fairway off the tee! Rarely can you find a level lie to hit from, increasing the difficulty when approaching the greens. Accuracy is a must to score well on the Oaks.
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WATCH LIVE
All three days, Golf Channel will air College Central from 4:00-4:30 p.m. ET, followed by live coverage of the Southwestern from 4:30-7:30 p.m. ET.
LIVE SCORING
Southwestern Invitational
TEE TIMES
Monday, January 30 – First Round -- Play begins at 11:00 a.m. ET off hole No. 10. Wake Forest will tee off with East Tennessee State and Individuals.
Tuesday, January 31 - Second Round – Play will begin at 11:00 a.m. ET off of holes No. 1.
Wednesday, February 1 – Third Round – Play will begin at 11:00 a.m. ET off of holes No. 1.
Players Mentioned
