LA QUINTA — Sixteen teams, including host schools Stanford and UC Davis, begin play today in the ninth annual Prestige at PGA West men's college golf tournament.
The first of two 18-hole rounds to be played today begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Greg Norman Course at PGA West, with the second round set for about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first round. The tournament will conclude with 18 holes Tuesday, again starting at 7:30 a.m.
This year's field features 10 team currently ranked in the top 50 in the country by Golfweek magazine as well as the top-ranked team in the Division II rankings, Florida Southern.
The top-ranked Division I school in the field is No. 4 Washington, while host Stanford, the 2007 NCAA team champion, is ranked 12th. Michigan State, playing in the event for the first time, is 17th, while California is 21st and Pepperdine is 25.
Other schools in the field are Michigan, Colorado, Kentucky, Central Florida, Northwestern, TCU, Pacific, Notre Dames and Rice.
UC Davis, the co-host of the event, is ranked 40th.
The tournament annually brings together some of the top academic and golf-playing institutions in the country for a two-day event which is preceded by a juniors clinic and college pro-am.
“Once again we're very proud to be co-hosting one of collegiate golf's premier events,” said UC Davis coach Cy Williams. “The La Quinta Resort and PGA West is one of the world's premier golf destinations. The strength of our field and the prestige of the universities attending this year affirm the tournament's commitment to academic and athletic excellence.”
