RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University men's golf team hosts the 20-team, 26^th annual Colonel Classic this weekend at the Arlington Golf Course. The tourney format calls for 36 holes Friday and the final 18 on Saturday.

EKU head coach Pat Stephens put his team through a six-round qualifier to see who would make the starting lineup for the tourney. The Colonels' team for this tourney will include seniors Eric Willenbrink and Chad Creech, junior Jim Milam and sophomores Brad Morris and Sam Covitz.

Senior Brandon Tucker has been bothered by stomach cramps and will play in the tournament as an individual.

"We're looking forward to opening up the season. We're excited about this year and what this team has the potential to get done. We've practiced and played long enough. It's time to tee it up," said Stephens, who is beginning his third year as the Colonels' head coach.

Teams entered in this year's tournament are Bowling Green, Centre, Cincinnati, Cumberland, Dayton, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, IUPUI, Morehead State, Murray State, Ohio University, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech, Western Carolina, Western Kentucky, Wright State, Xavier and Youngstown State.

Eastern won the 1998 Colonel Classic by four strokes over Louisville and Western Kentucky.