Oct. 27, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C.--The University of Memphis men's golf team wraps up its fall season this week at the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate Championship. Forest Oaks Country Club is the site of the competition this week, with North Carolina-Greensboro serving as the tournament's host.

From 1977 through 2007, Forest Oaks was the home of the PGA Tour's Greater Greensboro Open. The 7,197-yard, par 72 course features four par-5s, two on each side, 10 par-4s and four par-3s, three of which are over 200 yards. Originally opened in 1962, it was restored 40 years later by Davis Love III.

The 14-team field includes seven schools that competed in the NCAA tournament last year: Louisville, Mississippi State, Duke, Michigan State, Memphis, Michigan and Purdue. They join the host UNC-Greensboro Spartans, Eastern Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Pepperdine, South Alabama and Toledo. Louisville has won two of the last three Bridgestone Championships.

"This should be a great event. There are seven teams playing this week that made the NCAA tournament last year, so it's a great field. Also, Bridgestone goes all out for this tournament, making it feel kind of like a PGA Tour event. I know the guys are really going to enjoy it, and I'm confident that we will play well," said Tiger head coach Grant Robbins.

Last year in the tournament, the Tigers finished 10th, posting a three-day total of 881 (293-290-298). Brandon Bunn was the low individual for Memphis, firing rounds of 75-72-70 to finish in a tie for 15th.

This year, senior Jordan Payne looks to continue his stellar play this fall, having posted back to back top-10 finishes. After firing rounds of 72-73 to tie for fifth in the Memphis Intercollegiate, Payne followed it up with a ninth-place finish at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate.

"Jordan has really been stepping it up this fall. He struggled last spring and wasn't able to qualify to play. I think he has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder this year just to show everyone what he is really capable of," said Coach Robbins.

Fellow senior Brad Benjamin looks to continue his consistent play this week. After shooting rounds of 72-71-71 at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate last week, Benjamin has now posted four-consecutive rounds of 72 or lower. He holds the second-lowest scoring average on the team behind Payne.

The Bridgestone Golf Collegiate Championship tees off Tuesday, Oct. 28. Follow the action live at www.golfstat.com.