University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Jackrabbit Invitational
High Stakes, Low Scores: Spartan Men's Golf Heads to Vegas
3/6/2024 6:00:00 PM | Men's Golf
BOULDER CITY, NV --Â USC Upstate men's golf heads just south of Sin City to compete in the Jackrabbit Invitational at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, NV. The invitational is hosted by South Dakota State University. This is the furthest west Spartan golf has traveled since March 2019, when Upstate finished 11th in a large field at the Brand Dunes Championship in Brandon, Oregon.
Head Coach Todd Lawton said of the tournament, "We are excited to be playing out west for the first time in a while. The course's look and feel is so different from what we are used to."Â
Although considered a desert, Boulder City sits roughly 1,800 feet above Spartanburg, SC. Coach Lawton added, "Elevation and humidity play a part in managing the course and selecting clubs. The grass is different. It is truly a great opportunity in so many ways."
Live Stats
Tournament Information:
Boulder Creek Golf Club | Boulder City, NV
Jackrabbit Invitational - Par 72 - 7402 Yards
March 8 (Rounds 1-2), March 9 (Round 3)
Teams (10):
Bradley University, Creighton, Embry-Riddle (AZ), Northern Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Southern Utah University, St. Thomas, UC Santa Barbara, USC Upstate.
Tournament Lineup:
1. Alec Prentice (Fr; Wellington, New Zealand)
2. Cameron Biddle (Fr; Aiken, SC)
3. Jaskaran Sohal (Jr; Brisbane, Australia)
4. Zander Briggs (Sr; Simpsonville, SC)
5. Barrett Josey (Jr; Reidville, SC)
Individual: Panop Norasing (Sr; Bangkok, Thailand)
Quick Hitters:
- Alec Prentice will look to continue his hot streak in the Silver State. He has won back-to-back Big South Freshman of the Week honors when he has competed.
- The tournament format at the invitational is still stroke play, but pairings will be balanced, as players will be in flights with similar lineup designations.
- Spartan golf will take in the sights while in Nevada, with a highlight of touring the Hoover Dam after the tournament is played.
- The Spartan golf team added a new "addition" to the family over the week with assistant coach, Matt Smith and his wife Hunter, welcoming a healthy baby boy, Tripp.
About The Course:
Nestled within three mountain ranges and adjacent to the nationally recognized Hoover Dam, Boulder City Golf Course is more than just a stunning 18-hole golf course. Acclaimed golf course architects Billy Casper and David Rainville established the course in 1973 as a 6,600-yard, par 72 layout that provides a haven for native plants, abundant treescapes, and several integral water features.
A traditional layout, the Boulder City Golf Course features tree-lined fairways and large receptive greens with water features on seven holes. This par 72 golf course measures 6,600 yards from the back tees and has a slope of 117 for men and 123 for women. The course is very enjoyable to play by all levels of ability, so bring your friends. Rounds are usually played in 4 1/2 hours or less.
Weather Report:
Golfers can anticipate ideal weather conditions for their rounds. On Friday, expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching the upper 60s. However, the winds may gust at 10-20 mph, which could pose a slight challenge, especially in the morning. Winds are forecast to subside as the day progresses, offering a more tranquil afternoon on the greens. Saturday promises another excellent golfing conditions, with sunny weather prevailing and temperatures again in the upper 60s. Unlike Friday, winds are anticipated to be light for most of the morning, providing optimal playing conditions.Â
Players Mentioned
