Eastern Florida State Men’s Golf Team Prepares for Dalton State Invitational in Palm Harbor

By  //  September 25, 2020

Titans will be one of 11 teams competing at Innisbrook Golf Club

The Eastern Florida State College men’s golf team will be back on the course for the first time in six months when they compete in the Dalton State Invitational next week in Palm Harbor. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College men’s golf team will be back on the course for the first time in six months when they compete in the Dalton State Invitational next week in Palm Harbor.

The Titans will be one of 11 teams competing at Innisbrook Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday.

“It’s a treat to play there. The Copperhead course which is where the Valspar Championship PGA event is played each year so the guys know it from watching it on TV, but I am sure they have taken a look at it online as well.

It is a treat to play an event like that, playing on a course that hosts a PGA event, you can’t really ask for more than that,” Eastern Florida State College men’s golf coach Jamie Howell said.

“A couple of good NAIA schools will be there. Dalton State is the host and is traditionally a good team. I think we are all wondering how teams will play early on because you don’t know how much golf anyone has been playing.

I really don’t know. I like my five that are going and we have gotten progressively better in the six rounds of qualifying, scoring was better and better so that is a good sign.”

One of the leaders of the men’s team Thomas Matthews was named a first-team All-American last season.

“I am excited to just play. I haven’t played a competition since March so I can’t wait to get out on the course and compete again,” Matthews said.

“My game is in good shape going into the event so just really looking forward to getting on the course and playing golf.”

Matthews is one of four sophomores returning this season to a veteran golf team that has high hopes for the season. Sophomores Drew Lanier and Ryan McMillan will join Matthews and freshmen Matt Gauntlett and John Houchin in the first tournament of the fall.

The Innisbrook tournament will be the first of three tournaments this fall season for the men’s team and will pose a bit of a different challenge due to COVID-19 as teams will all play together rather than in groups with other teams.

So all five of the Titans will play together on Monday and Tuesday.

“A tournament is a tournament and you have to adapt and move on, but this will be the first tournament they will play all together in a group of five. It’s all part of adjusting and not panicking to the differences,” Howell said.

The team will also play in tournaments in Palm Beach Gardens and Winter Haven this fall. Click here for a complete schedule of fall events.

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