UCLA Men’s Golf Heads to Alpharetta for Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational
The UCLA men’s golf team is traveling to Alpharetta, Georgia, to compete in the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational from Friday to Sunday, marking the program’s fourth consecutive year at the event, dailybruin.com reported. The Bruins enter the 14-team field seeking their first tournament win of the year after finishing no higher than eighth in their first three outings of the season.
Course Knowledge and Preparation at Lakeside Course
The Lakeside Course at the Golf Club of Georgia measures 7,017 yards with a par of 72. UCLA coach Armen Kirakossian said his roster’s familiarity with the venue provides a baseline for their preparations. “Fortunately, we know the golf course well that we’re going to,” Kirakossian said. “We’ll try to simulate shots that we think will be required.” Kirakossian identified the course’s four par-3 holes as a primary focus during practice.
Sophomore Josh Kim stated that the team’s preparation involves dialing in short-iron accuracy. “Coach has made a pretty big emphasis on scoring,” Kim said. “In order to score, we have to start hitting shots a little bit closer instead of playing a little bit conservative.” Kim led the Bruins two weeks ago at the Fighting Irish Classic by coming 15th with a 1-over 211.
Scoring Trends Across Recent Tournaments
UCLA has featured a different individual leader at each event this season. Senior Alex Papayoanou led the squad at the Sahalee Players Championship, while junior Baylor Larrabee posted the team’s highest finish at the Ben Hogan Collegiate. On par-3 holes specifically, the Bruins showed strong execution at the Ben Hogan event from Sept. 28-29, leading the tournament field by dropping only four strokes to par across three rounds.
The team is looking to replicate the upward trajectory it found during the second half of last season. After opening that stretch with finishes of 8th, 14th, 12th, and 9th, UCLA captured the Big Ten Championship title and finished second nationally.
Field and Competition in Georgia
The 14-team field in Alpharetta includes two ranked opponents: No. 15 host Georgia Tech and No. 24 Clemson. Virginia, the reigning winner of the event, will also participate in the tournament as both programs look to jump-start their respective seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Event
Where is the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational held?
The tournament takes place at the Lakeside Course in Alpharetta, Georgia, which plays at 7,017 yards and a par of 72.
How have the Bruins performed at this tournament in past years?
UCLA has posted mixed results in recent appearances at the Georgia event, placing 10th last year and finishing in second place the year before that.
Which ranked teams are competing in the field?
The 14-team field features two ranked programs: tournament host No. 15 Georgia Tech and No. 24 Clemson, alongside reigning event champion Virginia.
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