March 14, 2010
Arlington, Texas. - As many people make their way to Florida for spring break, the Maverick golf team will do the same as they head to Orlando for the Rio Pinar Invitational.
One thing that won't be going on the trip according to head coach Jay Rees is Bobby Massa's driver. Massa has struggled with that club throughout the year and the player and coach have decided to leave it behind this week.
"Well for one, it will make his bag lighter," Rees said with a smile. "But Bobby has not been able to keep that on the course and this week in qualifying he switched to a driving iron that he can keep in play. With a little roll he can get that out there around 290 yards.
"He had a great week of qualifying shooting 66-70 at two different golf courses and I think he is ready to have a breakout week."
Massa will be joined on the trip by fellow teammates Zack Fischer, Bryce Easton, Wes Worster and Hunter Brown. Fischer and Easton and were the top finishers at the Border Olympics as they completed the tournament in a tie for 13th as they helped the team finish in fourth.
The tournament begins Monday, March 15 with the first two rounds beging played before finishing with one round on Tuesday. The Rio Pinar Country Club, which has hosted PGA Tour events in the past, is a par 72 and will play to 7,001 yards.
There are six teams in the field that are currently ranked in the top-75 in the country according to Golfstat. Those include the Mavericks (57), North Florida (27), Middle Tennessee State (32), Wichita State (59), UCF (63) and South Alabama (75).
Other teams in the field include Southern Miss, Akron, USF, North Texas, Liberty, Florida Atlantic, Miami (Ohio), Charlotte, College of Charleston, Louisiana-Lafayette, Toledo and Marquette.
"This tournament has a great field and if we can do well, it will improve our chances of locking up an at-large NCAA bid," Rees added.
Live scoring for the tournament will not be available but results will be posted on utamavs.com as soon as possible after each round.
