RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University men's golf team continues its 1999 spring season with an appearance Friday and Saturday in the 30^th annual Marshall Invitational Tournament in Huntington, WV.

The tourney, which consists of 36 holes of play Friday and 18 holes Saturday, has a prestigious field of 20 teams, including squads from Michigan, Purdue, Wisconsin, Louisville, Akron, Illinois, Indiana, Notre Dame, Toledo, Kent, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Marshall, Eastern Michigan, Murray State, Ohio, Northwestern and EKU.

"This tournament has a very challenging golf course, and the field of competition is one of the best of the year," said EKU men's golf coach Pat Stephens.

Eastern is coming off a ninth-place finish among 18 teams at the University of Kentucky's Johnny Owens Invitational at Kearney Hills Golf Links last weekend. The Colonels shot a three-round total of 905, 25 strokes back of team champion, Miami (Ohio).

Junior Eric Willenbrink led the Colonels with his three-over par 219, which tied him for seventh place. Other EKU scores came from senior Andy Games, 227; junior Josh Lee, 230; freshman Brad Morris, 231; and sophomore Jim Milam, 240.

"The guys didn't play well last week, but they're excited to go up there and prove themselves this weekend," said Stephens.