CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati men’s golf team is set to compete in The Johnnie-O at the Plantation Course in St. Simons Island, Georgia. This tournament features 15 teams and will kick off with 36 holes of play on Monday, followed by 18 holes on Tuesday.
Cincinnati’s lineup includes Ryan Ford, Leo Wessel, Connor McNeely, Rylan Wotherspoon, and Brayden Miller.
This tournament is the second of five spring events before the Big 12 Championship, scheduled for April 27-29 at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Kansas. Cincinnati performed well last fall, finishing in the top five in four out of five tournaments. They even secured a win at the Bearcat Invitational in September, but they faced a tie for eighth place at the Colleton River Collegiate last week.
The Johnnie-O event has seen some ups and downs for Cincinnati in the past. Last year, in inclement weather, they managed to turn around a challenging first round into a 36-hole victory. Their journey included overcoming an 8-over-par start to finish 9-under in the second round. Cincinnati also placed sixth last year and was the runner-up in the inaugural event.
The Plantation Course, originally built in 1928, underwent a redesign by Davis and Mark Love in 2019. It’s a classic 6,999-yard, par-72 course, known for its beautiful yet challenging design, featuring bulkheads and unique mounding.
Alongside Cincinnati, notable teams like Rutgers, Florida Gulf Coast, and Notre Dame will be competing.
As for individual performances, senior Ryan Ford leads the Bearcats with an impressive 69.82 scoring average and four top-10 finishes this season. Sophomore Leo Wessel follows closely with a 71.18 average. Both players have consistently shown their skill, with Ford achieving under-par rounds in 10 of his 17 outings.
In recent rankings, Ford climbed to 40th in the PGA TOUR University standings. This ranking highlights the top collegiate players over the last two years. The top 25 players when the rankings conclude will earn PGA Tour status, which is a significant milestone.
Recently, the Bearcats had an impressive run at the Bearcat Invitational, where they secured their win with three consecutive rounds at 6-under par. This showcased strong teamwork, with three players finishing in the top 10.
Having a solid mix of talent and experience gives Cincinnati a promising edge as they look ahead to their spring tournaments.
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