CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University men's golf team tees off in its final fall tournament, The F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate, played at The Links at Novadell, in Hopkinsville, Ky. The tournament consists of 36 holes, Monday, with the final round played Tuesday.

Joining host Austin Peay in the tournament field are Ohio Valley Conference members Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Murray State, UT Martin, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech. Also playing in the event are Belmont, Lipscomb, Missouri State, Northern Illinois, Oakland, SIU Edwardsville, Towson and Western Illinois.

Play is set to begin with an 8 a.m., shotgun start, with continuous play in order to complete both Monday rounds.

“I think the guys have a lot of energy coming in and I think we're ready to go,” said Govs head coach Kirk Kayden. “We're playing on our home course, the weather is supposed to be good and I think we're going to come out focused. They have to work hard and try to get some scores under par for us. We need four guys to play consistent – that's what we haven't had this fall.”

Austin Peay won its home tournament, last season, rewriting the tournament record book along the way. Senior Erik Barnes fired the school's first-ever sub-200 round with a three-round 199. The Marian, Ind., native, led the Govs to a tournament-record low 18-hole score (272), low 36-hole score (551) and low 54-hole score (832).

The Govs have struggled this season, working to defend their 2009 OVC Tournament championship. Through four fall tournaments, Austin Peay has posted a .366 winning percentage with the best team finish (t-8th) coming at the Xavier Invitational with a three-round 877. Barnes has recorded back-to-back top-10 finishes – sixth at Xavier and fourth at the Bearcat Invitational – and leads the team with six under-par rounds.

Barnes leads the Govs with a  71.83 stroke average, while junior Chris Dougill is next with a 74.17. Junior Brian Balthrop brings a 74.75 stroke average and ranks second, along with Dougill, with three under-par rounds. Freshman Dustin Korte is looking to improve his 75.83 stroke average. Junior Luke Sherrod, who has a 78.17 stroke average, is playing in his season's third tournament.

Senior Eric Anfinson and sophomore Andrew Miller each will compete as individuals for the Govs.

“We've got some people following us this week,” Kayden said. “We've really gotten a lot of great support from our sponsors and the community. Hopefully we can come out and give them a good show tomorrow.”
-AP-