The inaugural National Golf Invitational took place last week in Maricopa, Ariz.
Imagine the NIT as college golf. The goal of every team is to reach the NCAA Championship. However, there are some teams that qualify for NCAA Regionals but don’t make it.
The NGI is the answer.
The NCAA announced last year that teams would be allowed to compete in a single season-ending tournament. Golfweek partnered with Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, located in Maricopa Arizona, south of Phoenix to host the first National Golf Invitational.
Some teams, such as Arkansas State, can gain valuable experience and a chance to make it to the postseason.
Arkansas State coach Mike Hagan stated that college golf is as competitive as ever, particularly in 2023. “So, if you missed regionals by a few spots, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you had a bad season.” The NGI is important to us.
The pin flag for the National Golf Invitational 2023 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. (Photo: Cameron Jourdan/Golfweek)
Red Wolves is one of thirteen teams that compete on the men’s team in a field which includes Power 5 and mid-major programs. Penn State is also competing and will be looking to complete the sweep this week.
Joe Jenson, the Wyoming coach, said that a second postseason tournament would benefit college golf as well. He gives Colorado as an instance, who made it to regionals despite being close to the cut-off and then played their way into the NCAA Championship.
Jenson stated, “We were very close to them throughout the year and we benefited from their success.” “There are just too many good teams who don’t make it to regionals. I can’t stress enough how important this event is for the players and coaches.”
Checking in on Coach Jensen before the Cowboys compete in the inaugural Golfweek NIT.
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— Wyoming Golf (@wyo_golf) May 17, 2023
The wind blew through Ak-Chin Southern Dunes on Thursday as teams prepared for the final round of golf. Some players would be playing in their last college golf tournament. The NGI can provide postseason experience for some players and give them a boost into the next season.
The new college golf postseason tournament is now here. It’s a new event that will only grow, and it’ll provide championship opportunities to numerous schools.
Hagen stated that “our guys are excited to be able to play in an event postseason.” “We have a chance to win a championship, which not many people do.”
