IU looks for second straight title at Wolf Run in Zionsville

The IU men’s golf team will look to build on its tournament win last weekend with another strong showing at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate at Wolf Run Golf Club in Zionsville, Ind., on Saturday and Sunday.

The two-day tournament tees up Saturday with 36 holes of competition using a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

The final 18 holes will be played Sunday. Tee times will be announced after Saturday play.

IU Coach Mike Mayer said he understands the importance of riding the wave from the Northern Intercollegiate into Wolf Run this weekend.

“We have to build off this momentum,” Mayer said. “We’ve got to take this confidence into Wolf Run. We have a little target on our back. Some of the teams are going to want revenge and come after us.”

Michigan State and Northern Illinois are two teams that may want revenge. IU defeated both in the last tournament.

Other Big Ten teams in the field are Ohio State, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Butler, IUPUI and IPFW join IU as the four teams playing in their home state.

Texas Tech, Kentucky, Akron, Miami (Ohio) and Eastern Michigan round out the field.

“They are going to know that if they get a win against Indiana it is going to be a quality win,” Mayer said. “It is going to help their strength of schedule, help their RPI and help their rankings. They are going to be coming after us, and we have to be ready to go.”

Senior Michael McGee said the course will be a challenge.

“There are some holes that can wreck your day really fast,” he said. “You have to always be on top of your game.”

Eight Hoosiers, the starting five from last weekend and three more individuals, take to the course to battle for a team and individual titles.

Of the starters, McGee and fellow seniors Brant Peaper and Corey Ziedonis as well as junior David Mills all have competitive experience at the course.

Junior Hugo Menendez will see his first competitive action at the course this weekend.

“I have played it a bunch,” McGee said. “Personally, I love the track. It is my favorite in Indianapolis by far.”

The team will compete alongside sophomores Andrew Fogg, Nicolas Grubnich and freshman Sean Stone. Fogg and Grubnich make their first appearances of the season while Stone will try to expound the experience he gained in his first outing last weekend.

The scores from the individuals don’t count in the team standings. They are competing for the individual title.

McGee said the team is excited to play so close to Bloomington, and he likes where the team is thus far in the season.

“We have some really good players playing good golf,” McGee said. “We’re looking to go out and put together another solid finish and keep the ball rolling.”