March 3, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. -- No. 6 Auburn Men's Golf is set to host the Tiger Invitational Presented by Jason Dufner Sunday through Tuesday at the par-72, 7,149-yard Grand National Lakes Course in Opelika.
The Tigers will welcome 17 teams to Grand National this weekend including fellow SEC members Mississippi State and Missouri. Charlotte, Chattanooga, James Madison, Georgia State, Kansas State, Kennesaw State, Maryland, Minnesota, Samford, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy, UNCG and UNCW round out the field.
"We are excited about the opportunity to host our home tournament at Grand National Lake Course," head coach Nick Clinard said. "A special thank you to Jason Dufner and Auburn Athletics for their support as it is an outstanding event at an excellent venue."
A total of 11 Tigers will play the course this weekend with five competing as a team and the rest playing as individuals. The five playing as a team are Jovan Rebula, Brandon Mancheno, Ben Schlottman, Trace Crowe and Jacob Solomon.
Rebula, a sophomore, and Mancheno, a freshman, lead the team at 70.33 strokes. Rebula, who ranks third in the international Palmer Cup rankings, has five top-20 finishes this season. Mancheno has four top 10 finishes in six events played, including a tie for third at the Trinity Forest Invitational. He is also included in the Palmer Cup rankings, checking in at 23rd for the U.S.A.
Schlottman is averaging a 70.50, good for third on the team. The Advance, N.C. native led the Tigers to their first win of the season at the All-American, finishing third at 12-under. Crowe, of Bluffton, South Carolina, is averaging a 71.39 this season. He has a pair of top five finishes this season, including t-4th at the All-American.
Solomon ranks fifth on the team at 71.73 strokes. The Dublin, Calif., native has a pair of top 25 finishes this season. Also playing the course as individuals will be Wells Padgett, Ryan Knop, Graysen Huff, Marcus Svensson, Andrew Kozan and Reagan Harrell.
"It's another chance for us to cement ourselves as one of the best teams in the nation and I'm extremely confident in my team," Clinard said. "They've worked diligently this spring and it will be fun to watch them compete. I hope our donors and fans will come out to watch some great golf this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday."
Auburn will look to repeat as Tiger Invitational champions after winning last year's event by five strokes over in-state Troy.
The Tigers tee off No. 1 at 8:40 a.m. CT on Sunday. Live-scoring will be available through Golfstat.com. Admission is free.