RICHMOND, Ky. - The 25^th annual Eastern Kentucky University Colonel Classic is on tap this weekend for coach Pat Stephens' EKU men's golf team at the Arlington Golf Course.

Entered in the 54-hole tourney will be a Maroon and White Team from EKU, Dayton, Louisville, Western Kentucky, Ohio University, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin, Morehead State, Cumberland, Murray State and Youngstown State. The tournament will consist of 36 holes Friday and 18 holes Saturday.

Last weekend, EKU finished third of 11 teams entered in the 54-hole Murray State Invitational. Southeast Missouri edged Louisville for the team championship by shooting 871 to U of L's 872. EKU was next at 881, followed by St. Louis, 883; Murray State, 898; Southern Illinois, 903; Tennessee Tech, 906; Wright State, 911; Belmont, 913; UT Martin, 922; and Morehead State, 924.

Senior Andy Games of Elizabethtown and junior Eric Willenbrink of Ashland led the way for the Colonels at Murray State by finishing in ties for third and fifth, respectively, with scores of 218 and 219. Junior Brandon Tucker tied for 19^th at 224.

Freshmen Brad Morris and Sam Covitz were 22^nd (225) and 42^nd (232), respectively, while senior Josh Lee rounded out Eastern's players by shooting a 235 and finishing 48^th.

"Our first day, our two freshmen had outstanding rounds, considering that was their first day of competition in a college tournament ever," Stephens said. "The last day was a different story as they were both disappointed that they each shot in the low 80's.

"But this was good learning experience for them and playing in this tournament should do nothing but help them down the road. This team has a lot of talent and as we continue to gain confidence, we should really come into our own as a team down on the road."

Willenbrink and Games have qualified to be on the No. 1 team for the Colonel Classic, while other team members are playing qualifying rounds this week to see who will be listed on the Maroon and White teams.

Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky tied for the 1997 Colonel Classic team championship and WKU won the title in a playoff.

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