Wake Forest University
The Battle at Briar's Creek
Deacs Set for Battle at Briar’s Creek
2/5/2023 8:28:00 PM | Men's Golf
The Demon Deacons look to build off strong individual performances at the Southwestern Invitational.
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. – After competing last week in California at the Southwestern Invitational, the Wake Forest men's golf team is set to chase its first team title of the season this week at the Battle of Briar's Creek, starting on Monday.
The reigning ACC Champions and NCAA Regional Champions will be led again by junior Michael Brennan who is coming off one of his best tournaments of his career. The Leesburg, Va. native captured his fifth career individual victory in the Southwestern Invitational over a loaded field.
With a pair of wins in each of his two seasons in Winston-Salem, Brennan now has joined rare company with five or more wins in program history.
He is now alongside Jay Haas, Lanny Wadkins and Cameron Young to have five titles to their name at Wake Forest. Only three Demon Deacons have more than five titles in their collegiate career: Bill Haas (10), Gary Hallberg (9) and Curtis Strange (8).
Wake Forest Golfers to Win Five Collegiate Events
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Jay Haas
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Lanny Wadkins
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Cameron Young
Brennan Michael joined quite the company to win the Southwestern title in its 40-plus year history as it has been the start to illustrious pro careers for many.
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Brennan (2022)
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Sahith Theegala (2017, 2020)
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Patrick Cantlay (2011)
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Paul Casey (1998)
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Tiger Woods (1996)
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Corey Pavin (1978, 1981)
Alongside Brennan, sophomore Scotty Kennon and Marshall Meisel are back in the lineup after having strong weeks at the Southwestern Invitational. Both tied for 30th with Kennon being as high as in the top 10 while Meisel tied Brennan for the low third round at 3-under-par.
Tomorrow's first round is scheduled for a 8:00 a.m. (ET) shotgun start as the Wake Forest team tees off between holes No. 1 and No. 4. The Demon Deacons will be paired with Kentucky and host College of Charleston on the opening day of play. The Demon Deacon individuals will be paired with Campbell and Virginia Tech, starting between holes No. 13 to No. 16.
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, shooting a five-under-par 66.
He will look to claim potentially his sixth 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.
In the Southwestern Invitational, Brennan claimed his fifth career individual title, shooting the lowest score in the field in both the second and third round to win by a stroke over the loaded field.
Power helped the team to a title at the 2021 Old Town Club Collegiate Invitational, tying for 35th on the individual leaderboard. He was helped by a 66 (-4) in the second round of the tournament. He was one of three Demon Deacons to compete at the Genesis Collegiate Showcase. In the ACC semifinal, Power provided the second point in the win over North Carolina.
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. He is coming off a tied for 30th finish at the Southwestern, ending the tournament as the second-highest Demon Deacon.
Owens plays in the lineup for the Demon Deacons for the third time in his freshman year. As a junior, he ranked as high as No. 9 nationally in the AJGA standings. In March, he qualified for the Chitimacha Louisiana Open presented on the Korn Ferry Tour as a Monday qualifier. Additionally, he reached the Round of 32 at the 2022 North and South Amateur Championship and is the reigning LHSAA Individual Champion.
Owens, who recorded the lowest debut round in program history, finished as the Deacs top player in the Maui Jim Intercollegiate, tying for 13th individually.
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 four of five events with a 71.50 stroke average. In the Old Town Club Collegiate Invitational, he finished seventh at 4-under-par. He is coming off the Southwestern Invitational where he finished 30th with the help of a 3-under-par final round which tied for the lowest in the field in the final round with Michael Brennan.
COMPETING AS INDIVIDUALS
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Andrew McLaughlan
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
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Wake Forest
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College of Charleston
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Kentucky
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Campbell
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Lipscomb
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Augusta
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Boston College
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UNC-Wilmington
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Elon
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Memphis
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Virginia Tech
COURSE INFORMATION
Battle at Briar's Creek
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The Golf Club at Briar's Creek – Johns Island, S.C. – Par 72 – 7,175 yards
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An integral part of the Briar's Creek experience is the way golf and the natural environment complement each other. There is no shortage of water, marshes, wetlands and wildlife, along with the occasional bunker, rough, and gently rolling, but quick putting surface. Set on more than 800 acres on scenic Johns Island, this private retreat provides an unhurried lifestyle and world-class golf.
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Precisely designed and skillfully maintained, the Rees Jones masterpiece embraces the rich, low country landscape and vegetation of Johns Island and the Kiawah River. Multiple tee boxes offer dramatic shots around, across and along unspoiled marsh and riverside vistas, creating a spirited, scenic challenge for golfers of every level.
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LIVE SCORING
Battle at Briar's Creek
TEE TIMES
Monday, February 6 – First Round & Second -- Play begins at 8:00 a.m. ET as a shotgun start.
Tuesday, February 7 - Third Round – Play will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET as a shotgun start.
Players Mentioned
