No. 21 Auburn Golf Set To Co-Host 2009 Gary Koch Invitational - AuburnTigers.com

No. 21 Auburn Golf Set To Co-Host 2009 Gary Koch Invitational Sophomore Kyle Kopsick to lead the Tigers in the No. 1 slot.

Cole Moreland

Oct. 1, 2009

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 21 Auburn men's golf team arrived in Tampa, Fla., Thursday afternoon for the 2009 Gary Koch Invitational, held Saturday through Sunday at the par-72, 7,389-yard Old Memorial Golf Club.

"It really is a privilege to host an event at a venue like this," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "This is truly one of the premier private clubs in the nation. I just want to extend my thanks to the staff here. This will be a treat for all the student-athletes competing on these holes the next few days.

"There are some strokes to be found out there. Hopefully we'll be able to make some puts and come out with a strong start on Saturday."

Making the trip for the Tigers will be sophomores John Stembridge, Kyle Kopsick and Will McCurdy in the top-three spots. Redshirt freshmen Jackson Beindorf and David Zickler travel as Nos. 4 and 5. Senior Cole Moreland will also compete as an individual.

"Starting out on a 36-hole day, its more about being patient," said McCurdy. "Patience is more key than a quick start.

"This place isn't what I expected. It reminds of the Sea Island course in Georgia. Every blade of grass is perfect."

Kopsick (71.33) and Stembridge (71.66) lead the Tigers in 2009-10 scoring average after placing ninth and 11th, respectively, at the Carpet Capital Collegiate.

The Gary Koch field includes No. 21 Auburn, No. 7 Florida State, No. 8 Florida, No. 10 North Carolina, No. 11 North Florida, Augusta State, East Tennessee State, Georgia Southern, UAB, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, South Florida, Texas Tech and Virginia.

Practice rounds are set for Friday at 1 p.m. CST. Round one action commences off the back nine as the Tigers tee off with Kentucky and Florida. The opening 36 holes of the three-round event will take place on Saturday.

The Tigers are set to co-host the event with Kentucky, ending a three-year Auburn span without a tournament to call its own. The Tigers competed in the 2000 Gary Koch, placing second in a field of 15.