Men's golf team opens season Monday, hosting Titan Winter Invitational

The Eastern Florida State College men's golf team will tee off Monday morning at the Titan Winter Invitational at Suntree Country Club.

The Titans host the tournament at the beginning of every spring season and have fared well at the event that features both junior college, NAIA and NCAA Division II teams. Eastern Florida State College has won the tournament twice in the past five years and has finished in the top four the past six seasons. 

"We do usually play well there, it is everyone's first tournament and it is a good chance to see where we are to start the season," Eastern Florida State College men's golf coach Jamie Howell said. "It looks like it will be a really good field once again and that is what we want. The hotter the fire, the harder the steel."

The men's golf team has a strong group of golfers returning from a team that made it to the national tournament last season.

"The men look good, we finished the fall season really strong," Howell said. "If we time things right and keep getting better at each tournament, we should be able to compete with the best teams."

Sophomore Drew Lanier won the individual title last year and was named to the all-district team last season. Teammate Matt Gauntlett had a big debut last season, winning the District 4 Championship individual title and was named a PING All-American in his freshman season.

Overall the Titans have six players returning from the team that placed 16th in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament.

"I am looking forward to the spring season," Howell said.

The Titan Winter Invitational will be held on Monday and Tuesday at Suntree Country Club's Classic Course and players will tee off at 9:30 a.m. Monday.