Men's Golf Opens Season Monday at Palouse Cougar Collegiate
9/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 12, 2010
SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University head men's golf coach Robert Gray has assembled the toughest schedule in program history, and he'll get his first look at this year's Bulldogs Monday and Tuesday at the Palouse Cougar Collegiate hosted by Washington State University.
The tournament - 36 holes Monday and 18 Tuesday - will be held at Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman, Wash. The course will be a 7,325-yard, par 72 layout. Tee times both days are at 7 a.m.
In addition to Gonzaga and WSU, the 19-team field includes San Jose State University, Sacramento State University, Santa Clara University, Fullerton State University, Utah Valley University, Cal Poly, Weber State University, Loyola Marymount University, Cal State Northridge, Boise State University, Seattle University, University of Portland and the University of Idaho. Some schools are expected to field multiple teams.
The Bulldogs will get an early-season look at West Coast Conference foes LMU, Portland and SCU.
"The team is very excited for this year. We've put together our strongest tournament schedule in program history where we'll see 14 of the top 30 teams in the country this fall," Gray said. "This will be a great opportunity for the team to put their games up against some of the best in the country. At the same time, they'll gain the valuable experience that comes with playing in tournaments with great fields."
Four of Gray's five golfers return from last season, led by seniors Kyle Huus and Francis Santiago. They'll be joined by sophomore Travis Johnsen who played in eight tournaments a year ago and junior Oliver Grabb, who participated in five events last season.
The lone newcomer on the team is Spokane freshman Peter Gullickson, a product of Lewis and Clark High.
"Kyle and Francis will lead the rest of the guys who have limited collegiate experience," Gray said.
Huus finished tied for 17th in last year's WCC Championship, while Santiago tied for 32nd as the only two returnees who have WCC Championship experience.
Huus, a native of Sidney, Neb., set a course record in Kearney, Neb., in qualifying for the 102nd Nebraska Amateur, then finished fifth in the event held in Omaha earlier this summer.
Gullickson brings plenty of potential to the collegiate ranks after a strong high school and junior career. He was named the Greater Spokane League boys' golf MVP last spring and was an All-GSL first-team selection. He helped lead the Tigers to the Washington State Class 4A title, finishing in a three-way tie for fifth at 145.
He was a first-team All-Greater Spokane League pick as a sophomore in 2008 and was a second-team selection in 2009. He was a State qualifier as a freshman and sophomore, and was a 4-year letterwinner for LC Coach Jim Travis.
Gullickson played in the USGA Junior Amateur Golf Championship this past July after qualifying at Manito Golf and Country Club in Spokane, his home course. Last October he tied for ninth at the Purdue Open played at Purdue University's Kampen Course, one of the events on the Future Collegians World Tour. A year ago he placed sixth at the American Junior Golf Association tournament at Wenatchee Country Club, and tied for fifth at the Stockton Sports Commission Junior Classic AJGA.
The talented Gullickson will get plenty of experience under fire, according to Gray.
"Peter brings with him a lot of natural talent. With our strength of schedule this year, Peter will learn more than any other freshman we've ever had," Gray predicted.
The 11th-year Gonzaga head coach is encouraged heading into the season opener.
"Everyone has been working very hard to be ready for our first event and we're looking forward to the competition," Gray said. "Although we're young on the experience side, we can accomplish some great things this year."
