The Auburn men's golf team will be preparing for the SEC Men's Golf Championships this weekend at the Sea Island Golf Club in Sea Island, Ga., for the fifth straight season.
The course length is a par-70, 6,991-yard and is sure to give Auburn golfers a good test.
"We look at past histories as far as where the flags are going to be and then the expected wind direction," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "A lot of it will happen Thursday during our preparation when we figure out what the course is playing like."
Ranked at No. 26, Auburn comes into the championships with some momentum, and Clinard said he thinks that will be an advantage heading into this weekend.
"We've played very well this spring, winning three times and finished second, as well," Clinard said. "Our senior captain, Carlsson, has played like an All-American. We've got two freshmen in Matt Gilchrest and Will Long, who have played very well for us and have stroke averages below par. They have a lot of confidence going in."
In the past two seasons Auburn has competed well at the championships, finishing runner-up in 2012 and third in 2013.
One of the guys Auburn will look to for guidance is senior captain Niclas Carlsson.
Some of the other players will be inexperienced going into play this weekend but Clinard explained that's just part of college golf.
"Carlsson will be a big help since he's played there three times already," Clinard said. "We're very young and inexperienced when it comes to knowing this golf course compared to most of the teams that will be there. That's a little bit of a negative but good players adapt fast and I expect those guys to adapt and be ready to play."
Auburn last won the SEC Championship in 2002 and will be attempting to finish with a third straight top-three finish this year.
In order to accomplish that feat, Auburn will need some of the younger talented guys to step up and play well over the weekend.
Two of those guys will be freshmen Matt Gilchrest and Will Long, who Clinard has had much praise for this season.
"Long is a freshman, but he's played great for us this spring," Clinard said. "He's really competitive and he's got the ability to go out and have the opportunity to win. He's the kind of kid who has no fear and he's not afraid of anybody. I think he'll continue to play well for us as we move into the postseason."
Auburn will tee off at 9:10 a.m. ET on Friday alongside South Carolina and Kentucky.
Coming into the championships, there are currently seven other SEC teams ranked in the top 25 of the Golfstat rankings with Auburn hovering just outside the top 25 at No. 26.
The weekend is sure to deliver some competitive golf with some of the best teams in the country.
Clinard saidh he understands the challenge facing Auburn.
"It's a tough conference and we're looking forward to going in and competing against the best," Clinard said.
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