STATESBORO, G.A. –Men’s golf coaches and student-athletes from Georgia Southern, North Florida, Iowa and Central Florida were on hand for the First Schenkel Nationwide Youth Clinic at Forest Heights Country Club Wednesday afternoon, March 18th, 2015.
Approximately 75 youth golfers turned out to meet some of the college players who will be competing in the 36th Annual Schenkel Invitational, one of the most prestigious tournaments in college golf. Coaches and student-athletes helped the youth golfers with their games at three stations – hitting, chipping and putting.
The free clinic began at 4:30 p.m., and youth players spent about 20 minutes at each station. Youth golfers received a free dinner following the clinic and random drawings for prizes were conducted to finish the evening. The Schenkel Committee plans to make the Nationwide Youth Clinic an annual event prior to the tournament.
“We thought we might have 25 or 30 kids, and I think we’re up to 75 so it was a great turnout and what a great opportunity for these young girls and boys to learn from some of the players,” said Georgia Southern Director of Golf Larry Mays. “It’s good for our players to give back and fun for me to watch them get involved with the youth because that was them five or 10 years ago.”
The 2015 Schenkel Invitational will be conducted March 20-22 at Forest Heights Country Club in the 36th edition of one of the tournament. There will be a practice round on Thursday and 18 holes of competition on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The field is again a strong one with 10 of the 15 participating teams ranked in the top-50 in the country. This year’s field consists of defending champion Georgia Southern, UAB, Auburn, UCF, College of Charleston, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, NC State, UNF, South Alabama, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.
South Alabama is the only first-timer, and Wake Forest is returning for its 23rd appearance but its first since 2004. Florida will be participating for the 31st time, while Auburn, which won consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011, and NC State will make their 30th appearance.