MOUNT PLEASANT – Many of the nation’s best NAIA men’s golf teams will be on hand along with Iowa Wesleyan College for the NAIA Preview Invitational this weekend at The TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
The Tigers recently were invited to the event which is hosted by St. Ambrose University and will be conducted at the site of the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship in the spring. IWC will join a stacked field that will include teams from nine different states and 12 teams ranked in the most recent GolfWorld/Nike NAIA coaches’ poll.
“It is definitely an honor for our team to be invited and associated with such a great field,” said Tigers’ Head Coach Ted Peetz. “This is by far the best field we have ever played in. The guys are excited to compete and for the opportunity to play such a wonderful golf course.”
The TPC at Deere Run is also the host of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) John Deere Classic. The next two NAIA national championships will be held at the 7,213 yard, par-71 course which is owned by the PGA Tour.
Iowa Wesleyan is one of the three teams not ranked heading into the tourney. The Tigers are joined by St. Ambrose and Grand View College as Midwest Collegiate Conference schools represented at the invite.
“I don’t think many people will be giving us a chance to do much so we have a lot of upside going in,” Peetz said. “Hopefully, we’ll just go out and have fun, play well and enjoy two great days of golf.”
The tourney begins Friday, with the Tigers paired with Indiana Wesleyan University and Shorter (Ga.) College on the first day at noon. Play will continue Saturday at 8 a.m.
For more information regarding the IWC golf programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
