Columbus, Ga. – With a No. 17 national ranking and a recent announcement that the upcoming season would be the final outing for long-time head coach Roger Bagwell, the Lander men's golf team is set to start their 2017-18 this week at the Cougar Invitational hosted by Columbus State. The Bearcats will open play Monday and Tuesday at the par-71, 6,515-yard Country Club of Columbus.
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STORYLINES
• The 54-hole tournament will feature some of the best collegiate golf teams from across the Southeastern United States. The 18-team field is highlighted by seven teams in this week's national poll: Florida Tech (5th), North Alabama (7th), Lee (15th), St. Leo (16th), Lander (17th), Lincoln Memorial (21st) and Young Harris (23rd).
• The Bearcats took 2nd-place behind a 3-under par performance over three rounds in last year's Cougar Invitational. North Alabama claimed the team victory at 7-strokes under par.
• Conor Richards tied for fifth in last year's tournament as the sophomore finished with a score of 2-under par. Senior James Bartlett and junior Michael Brodie finished 19th and 27th respectively.
