Huskers Look to Continue Strong Play in Branson

The Nebraska men's golf team heads into next week's Branson Creek Invitational looking to build on the momentum of capturing its first team team title in two seasons. The 54-hole tournament starts with 36 holes on Monday, beginning at 8 a.m., with the final round set for Tuesday at Branson Creek Golf Club in Hollister, Mo.

Nebraska is coming off a four-shot victory in the Pepsi-Cola Invitational last weekend in Pottsboro, Texas. The Huskers opened a five-shot lead on Saturday in extremely windy conditions, then held off a charge from Texas State with a final round score of 298. The victory was Nebraska's first as a team since the Huskers claimed first place in the 2002 Branson Creek Invitational.

Scouting the Field

Nebraska should be among the favorites in the 11-team field that includes several regional opponents. Southern Illinois is the only team among the field ranked ahead of the Huskers in this week's GolfWeek statistical rankings.

About the Huskers

Coach Bill Spangler fielded the same five golfers for eight consecutive tournaments spanning the fall season and the first three spring tournaments. However, the emergence of freshman Tom Bethel gave Nebraska a different lineup at last week's Pepsi Invitational, with Bethel replacing senior Chris Hartwig.

Bethel repsonded with a third-place finish last weekend, the best showing by a Husker during the 2003-04 campaign. Spangler also lauded the play of redshirt freshman Drew Reynolds, who secured Nebraska's team title at the Pepsi Invitational with a final round 73, which pushed him to a tie for 12th place in the tournament.

In addition to the improved play of Bethel and Reynolds, sophomore Kent Schreiner was impressive in his collegiate debut last weekend, further adding to Nebraska's team depth and making for a more competitive practice situation. Schreiner, a walk-on from Ogallala, Neb., competed as an individual at the Pespi-Cola Invitational and finished in a tie for 14th place, including a 73 in the second round.

Bethel, Reynolds and senior J.J. Sullivan will play in the top three spots at the Branson Creek Invitational based on their finishes last weekend. The remaining two spots on NU's five-player team and one individual position will be determined by qualifying rounds through Friday. Schreiner will battle Judd Cornell, Brady Schnell and Chris Hartwig for the opportunity to compete at the Branson Creek Invitational.

Pepsi-Cola Invitational Recap

Nebraska captured its first team title since April of 2002 with a three-round total of 910 under windy conditions at the Pepsi-Cola Invitational at Tanglewood Resort in Pottsboro, Texas. The Huskers surged to a five-shot lead after two rounds with a 612 team total and capped the victory with a final round of 298 last Sunday. The victory was Nebraska's second tournament title in three seasons under Head Coach Bill Spangler.

Individually, Tom Bethel finished in third place by completing three rounds at 225. Reynolds tied for 12th with a 230 total, while Sullivan and Schreiner finished at 231, good for a tie for 14th place.