Men's Golf Hits the Course For First Time in 2021

Monday, March 8

Jacksonville, Fla.

Purdue Fort Wayne

Benbow Invitational

Eric Brinker

Men's Golf Hits the Course For First Time in 2021

3/6/2021 3:26:00 PM | Men's Golf

Live Results

Presented by Glenbrook Dodge

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne men's golf team will be playing in the Benbow Invitational on Monday and Tuesday (March 8-9), returning to the course for the first time in nearly a year.

Event: Benbow Invitational
Host: Butler
When: March 8-9 (18 holes Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. shotgun start)
Where: Jacksonville Beach Golf Club | Jacksonville, Florida
Par: 71
Yardage: 6,750
Format: Play 5, take 4
Live Results: Golfstat

Competing Teams
Alabama State, Butler, Chicago State, Detroit Mercy, Drexel, Eastern Illinois, Evansville, Murray State, Purdue Fort Wayne, Savannah State

Jacksonville Beach Golf Club
Owned and operated by the City of Jacksonville Beach, Jax Beach Golf Club has been a staple in the golf world of beach life. There are 50+ years of history in these greens and fairways, starting out as a private 9-hole course and evolving into 18-holes when the City of Jacksonville Beach acquired the facility. Over the years, Jax Beach Golf Club has had many transformations, but none as extensive as the latest renovation that began in January 2018. More than a facelift, the new course was designed to delight and inspire long-time club members and newcomers alike. Golfers will enjoy a fun, playable yet interesting design by acclaimed golf course architect, Harrison Minchew. Among the improvements are lush fairways of 419 Bermuda grass and greens planted with salt-resistant Platinum Paspalum turg. The drainage and irrigation systems have been modernized and use 100% reclaimed water along with reshaped and reconfigured holes that enhance playability. Golfers will appreciate more par-4 holes and fewer water hazards. The biggest change is in the finish with the reconfigured 16th, 17th, and 18th greens. To round out the renovation, upgrades were done in the Pro Shop and a new restaurant opened to all, Sand Trap Bar & Grille. In the Pro Shop, you will find the newest golf attire and accessories as well as equipment for your perfect game. Before, during and after your round of golf, enjoy breakfast, lunch or a snack with a cold beverage in the restaurant or on the patio overlooking the newly expanded Driving Range. With a new look and new energy, we look forward to players "golf the beach" again!

Mastodon Lineup
Purdue Fort Wayne will roll with Kasey Lilly, Eric Brinker, Jacob Deakyne, Burke Pitz and Reece Compton competing for the team score. Luke Miller and Parker Deakyne will play as individuals.

Meet the Newcomers
Purdue Fort Wayne has two freshmen on the roster in the 2020-21 season: Jadden Ousley and Reece Compton. Ousley was a two-time medalist at the sectional tournament in high school and holds the the Twin Lakes High School career scoring record. Compton helped Floyd Central set the school record with a 284 (-4) at the sectional tournament en route to the state championship.

Top-10 Finishes
Eric Brinker has five top-10 finishes in his career. He had two in each of his freshman and sophomore seasons and one as a junior in 2019-20. Kasey Lilly has one finish in the top-10 in his young career, tying Brinker for seventh at the Gary Freeman Invitational in March 2020.

Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne has not taken the course since March 12, 2020, when the Gary Freeman Invitational took place. The Mastodons finished second with a team score of 585, while then-senior Callahan Elzey placed fifth individually.

Next Time Up
The Mastodons will head to another tournament that Butler will host: the Butler Spring Invitational. This tournament will not be in the balmy Florida weather, however, as the Bulldogs will host the tournament at the Highland Golf Club in Indianapolis.

~ Feel the Rumble ~