Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Golf Ranked No. 11 in Latest Poll
February 10, 2010 | Men's Golf
Feb. 10, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech jumped eight spots in the latest Golfstat poll to No. 11, following last week's seventh-place finish among a talent-laden field at the Mauna Lani Invitational in Hawai'i. The Red Raiders accomplished their latest poll standing by playing the seventh-toughest schedule in the country to this point.
The Mauna Lani Invitational featured seven of the nation's top ten teams entering last week's event and the Red Raiders finished ahead of three of those, including 2008 NCAA Champion UCLA. The event marked the second of the season where Tech faced a formidable field of college golf's elite. In October, the Red Raiders hosted the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational, an event that showcased seven of the nation's top ten programs in the 15-team field. Tech finished eighth.
The highest ranking in program history came just a year ago as Tech peaked at No. 7 on March 5. Head Coach Greg Sands acknowledged the achievement, but said the team can't rest on their accomplishments.
"This is truly a credit to our guys and how hard they have prepared," Sands said. "We had a three-month layoff from the fall to last week's tournament and they came out ready to play. The field in Hawai'i was tough, but I thought we played well. I am proud of them getting to this point, but we have a lot of golf left to play."
The Red Raiders play in their second event of the spring Feb. 15-16 at the UTSA Invitational, an event Tech won last year, led by individual medalist Chris Ward. Six events are on the horizon for the squad, including the Callaway Match Play Championships in Marana, Ariz., March 21-23, before the Big 12 Championships in late April.
