BOONE, N.C. - Only two fall tournament events remain on the 2019 slate for Appalachian State men's golf. The Black and Gold will take part in the 15th Annual Grandover Collegiate, hosted by UNCG, in Greensboro, North Carolina this weekend starting Sunday, Oct. 27.
The two-day, three-round event will be played at Grandover Resort's East Course, which plays as a 7,245 yard par 72. Grandover Resort prompts longest course that the Mountaineers have faced this year.
Eyeing their third-straight top 3 team finish, App State will compete in a 12 team field with a top 5 opponent and a Sun Belt Conference foe. Penn State, Virginia Tech, Villanova, Seton Hall, Rutgers, VCU, Chattanooga, Elon, Ohio, Duke and UNCG round out the participating universities.
Duke University's men's golf is currently ranked fifth in the nation by GolfStat. However, the Blue Devils will compete as individuals only.
"We are focused on improving each and every tournament regardless as to who is in the field," first-year head coach Danny Forshey said.
Weather could play a major factor early on day one of the tournament. The forecast is calling for an 80 percent chance of heavy rain with winds gusting 10 to 15 mph.
"We practice in the rain," Forshey said. "Regardless of the weather, our mentality is the same each week, compete. We are focused on our team and only our team. Overcoming adversity is key when playing in bad weather."
Rounds one and two will begin Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. in shotgun format. The third and round is also set for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start the very next day, Monday. Live stats will be provided via GolfStat.com.
The Mountaineers will be taking a total of six golfers down to the Piedmont for the Grandover Collegiate. Timothius Tirto Tamardi, Dylan Lukes, Jake Lane, Addison Beam, Nicholas Gunnell have each qualified for the starting five position. Lukas Jönnson will compete as an individual.
Beam, a freshman, will be competing as a starter for the first time in his career. Last time out at the Phoenix Invitational, Beam played in his first collegiate event as an individual finishing with a 1-under-par 212.
Both Tamardi (69.78) and Lane (70.33) boast team-leading under-par round averages for the fall.
Lukes carded a career-low, second-round of 68 last tournament. His 3-under 210 at the said Phoenix Invitational also marked his lowest tournament score of his career. Gunnell also posted a personal best at the Phoenix Invitational, a 217.
As a team, the Black and Gold will look to improve upon their recent wave of success at the Grandover Resort. Five different players have recorded seven distinct personal bests this fall season. App State currently holds a round average of 71.80, 4.1 strokes under last season's returnee, over-par average of 75.90.
Follow the official Twitter account of App State men's golf (@appstategolf) for complete tournament updates.
