Cajuns Golf Seeks Title Defense As It Opens Season at Sam Hall

Sam Hall Intercollegiate Leaderboard

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns golf team is set to open the 2014-15 season on Monday as the squad heads to the Sam Hall Intercollegiate hosted at the Hattiesburg Country Club. The Cajuns won the event a year ago posting a score of 15-under par.

Play begins on Monday with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start for the first round, while the second round is scheduled to begin immediately following the completion of round one. The third and final round will take place Tuesday morning starting at 8 a.m.

"It's nice to open up at place where you have memories of winning a year ago," head coach Theo Sliman said. "We are going to have a bull's-eye on our back, which will make this a challenge for our guys. At the same time, I think we have a very experienced group that can handle the pressure."

All-Sun Belt performers Haraldur Magnus and Fernando Cruz Valle anchor the starting lineup this week and are joined by returners Ross Davis and Thomas Strandemo. Magnus led the Ragin' Cajuns with a 73.24 stroke average last season, while Cruz Valle, the 2013-14 SCB Freshman of the Year, had a 73.39 average.

Rounding out the lineup will be transfer Louis Kelly who comes to Louisiana from Adelphi University where he posted a second place finish in the NCAA Division II regionals to become the first golfer from the school to reach the national championships in five years.

Also making his debut for the Cajuns at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate will be freshman Paul San who will participate as an individual.

"This is a much more mature group this year, and I have a lot of confidence in the two newcomers," Sliman added. "I am really excited to see the guys play after having a great summer. I want to see how this group will come together for the first time. If we can continue to stick to our system of learn and apply we should have a great year.

"San comes in as a pretty polished freshman. He has a high maturity level when it comes to playing the game that you don't see in a freshman, while Kelly has a tremendous resume coming in. Those two will only add depth to a squad that returns everyone from a year ago."

Host Southern Miss, Arkansas State, Jackson State, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Rice, Sam Houston State, South Alabama, Southeastern Louisiana, Tennessee Tech, UALR, ULM and UTSA make up the 15-team field.

The Ragin' Cajuns are paired with UTSA and Sam Houston State to start the 54-hole tournament. Live scoring is available on Golfstat.com.

"We have a big test ahead of us the next three rounds," Sliman said. "Hopefully we can get the season off to a good start as we look to get back into the NCAA tournament this year."

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

Cajuns Golf Seeks Title Defense As It Opens Season at Sam Hall

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