Razorback Golfers Rolling into SEC Championships

ST. SIMON ISLAND, Ga. – The Arkansas men’s golf team is set to begin play in the SEC Men’s Golf Championships at the Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course on Friday morning.

"We played a very good practice round today," Arkansas Head Golf Coach Mike Ketcham said. "Our guys have been building some confidence individually over the last several tournaments, and I think we are ready to put together a pretty good showing at the SEC Championships."

First round play begins Friday with the second round scheduled for Saturday and the final round on Sunday. The Razorbacks are in search of their first SEC title since the 1995 season on a very demanding Seaside Course at the Sea Island Golf Club.

"This is the best course we play all season," Ketcham said. "It is manicured to perfection and a true treat for our student-athletes to be able to play. The Seaside course is set up so that the best team is going to win this tournament."

The Seaside course is generous off the tees but provides the golfer with a challenge on approach shots to greens that are extremely fast and undulating.

Matt Bortis leads the Razorbacks contingent with a 72.2 scoring average that ranks third in the conference. He has played in each of the Hogs’ tournaments this season, including the second win of his career at the Wolf Pack Invitational. He was also named the SEC Golfer of the Week following a fifth-place finish at the Morris Williams Intercollegiate in early April.

Freshman Eric Shriver will also get his shot to tame the Sea Island Golf Club. Shriver has a scoring average of 74.1 in 27 rounds this season. His top finish of the season was a seventh-place showing at the CordeValle Collegiate.

Senior Josh Farrell has been one of UA’s most consistent golfers over the past two tournaments and will be making his first trip to Sea Island. He boasts a 73.8 scoring average and put together his best tournament of the season at the Thunderbird Invitational two weeks ago with a 3-over-par 216.

Sophomore Scotty Campbell makes his second appearance at the SEC Championships for the Hogs. He has a 75.0 stroke average heading into the event. Sophomore Will Osborne has came on as of late and will return to the Razorbacks’ lineup for the first time since season-opening Coca-Cola Tournament of Champions in September.