Northwestern University Athletics
Men's Golfers Seek Improved Play at Puerto Rico Classic
2/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 22, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After playing its first spring tournament in Florida earlier this week, Northwestern's men's golf team heads south again, participating in the Puerto Rico Classic this Sunday through Tuesday, Feb. 24-26. The 15-team field is being played at the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Country Club, a 6,945-yard, par-72 course.
The Wildcats, ranked 45th in the most recent Golfweek/Sagarin Collegiate team poll, are coming off a disappointing 15th-place finish at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship and head coach Pat Goss is expecting a better showing in Puerto Rico.
"Traditionally, we've had success here," says Goss. "We need to put last week behind us and come out and compete at this tournament. We have to have a tougher mindset."
After battling some of the nation's top teams in Florida, Northwestern faces another stiff group of competitors at the Puerto Rico Classic, including Big Ten foes Minnesota and Purdue. The Boilermakers and Golden Gophers finished second and fourth, respectively, behind the Wildcats at last year's Big Ten Championship.
Also entered in the Classic are Clemson, Colorado, Duke, East Tennessee State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kent State, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Florida, the defending NCAA champion, won the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Championship last Tuesday. Duke, North Carolina State and Texas also participated at the Mercedes-Benz event.
Georgia Tech, presently the nation's No. 1-ranked school, is the defending Puerto Rico champion. Northwestern placed 10th last year.
