April 15, 2005

BRYAN, Texas -- Northwestern is one of 13 schools competing in the first Texas A&M Aggie Invitational this weekend at the Traditions Golf Club.

A number of Central Region foes are competing in this weekend's inaugural event, and the Wildcats need some improved play in the next four weeks if they want to earn an NCAA regional berth.

Ten of the 13 schools (there are actually 14 teams, as Texas A&M is playing an "A" and "B" team) are ranked in the Golfweek/Sagarin index top 50. Top-ranked Oklahoma State leads the loaded field. Also entered is No. 5 New Mexico, No. 17 Texas, No. 21 Michigan State (the top-ranked Big Ten squad), No. 29 SMU, No. 30 Texas Tech, No. 31 Kent State, No. 33 Texas A&M, No. 39 Oklahoma and No. 47 Baylor.

"It's another great tournament field," says NU head coach Pat Goss. "This would be a great weekend to break out and play some good golf, since we are facing a lot of regional foes. We need guys to go out and shoot some low scores."

The tournament begins with 36 holes on Saturday followed by 18 on Sunday. The Texas A&M tourney is the Aggies' first regular-season home tournament since A&M hosted a four-team event on campus in the fall of 1975.

The Traditions Golf Club opened in 2004 as the official home of the Texas A&M golf teams. Co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II, the course already ranks as one of the most challenging layouts in Texas, measuring 7,235 yards with multiple bunkers and water hazards throughout the heavily wooded course.

Northwestern's women's golf team competed on this course earlier in the year.

Live scoring and results are available for the tournament by linking to Texas A&M Aggie Invitational. Other tournament information can be found at Texas A&M Men's Golf.