Temple University Athletics
Owls Announce Challenging Spring Slate
1.13.09 | Men's Golf
Jan. 13, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple golf team will begin on its toughest schedule in recent memory when it tees off at the First Market Bank Intercollegiate, hosted by William and Mary, on March 23-24, head coach Brian Quinn announced today. The Owls will be paired with nationally ranked teams at the final three tournaments in preparation for the 2009 Atlantic 10 Championship on April 24-26.
"The schedule is probably one of the toughest in the country," Quinn said. "I want our kids to experience the country outside of the tri-state area. We also need to see the best players and teams to see where we can improve."
The Cherry and White is coming off its best fall season in several years, which included its first tournament victory since 2005, and should improve upon last spring's seventh place finish at A-10s. The trek to the conference title, and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, begins in late March with visits to Williamsburg, VA and Greenville, SC.
After competing against some of the region's top teams at W&M, the Owls will take on the nation's best at the Furman Intercollegiate. Last year's field included three of the top 15 teams in the nation--Tennessee-Chattanooga, Clemson and South Carolina.
After a week layoff, Temple will head to Ohio State (April 11-12) and Purdue (April 18-19) in preparation for the Atlantic 10 Championship. The field at Ohio State includes 10 teams ranked in the top 75 nationally including four in the top 50.
Purdue features a similar field, with nearly every Big 10 team set to tee off at the Boilermaker Invitational. Golfstat preseason #5 Illinois and #7 Indiana headline the field.
The regular season concludes at the A-10 Championship, hosted this April 24-26 at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-of-the-Hills, FL. Charlotte, which finished last season eighth at the NCAA Championship, is the favorite.
"It is time for us to compete in these tournaments, and not just show up," Quinn said. "The goal is to win the Atlantic 10 Championship and reach the NCAA Tournament. Everything is geared toward that goal."
