PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -We are now looking ahead to a rather big event on the area’s golf calendar, the Watersound Invitational set for the first three days of next week at Shark’s Tooth Golf Club on the west end of Panama City Beach. This an event hosted by the Florida State golf team, and it’s the sixth year the Seminoles have been host. Originally the event starting at Camp Creek with just ACC teams involved, and now it’s moved to Shark’s Tooth and morphed into an event that brings in golf teams from all over the country. This year FSU inviting the likes of Alabama, Mississippi State, UCLA, Vandy, Clemson, Kentucky, NC State, Michigan State, Navy, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. This will serve as the spring season opener for most if not all these teams, and I had the chance to talk about that with FSU head coach Trey Jones.

“It’s not exactly our home, but it’s great to play in Florida.” coach Jones told me. “ And they love the golf course, they love being over there. It is a place where we go for a team retreats from time to time. So, they’re excited. Anytime it’s the first time that we’re playing, and we haven’t played for the team since East Lake Cup in November. So, as the other sports will tell you they’re tired of playing against each other and they’re excited to get an opportunity next week.”

Coach Jones says overall they were a bit disappointed in the fall season and are hoping a big week at Shark’s Tooth will help them get the spring season going on a high note. They did make it to the NCAA final match last season, losing to Auburn. Made it to the semifinals the year before. And oh by the way, FSU boasts the top ranked male amateur in the world rankings, junior Luke Clanton there, out of South Florida. There will be a practice round Sunday, the playing rounds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the 17th through the 19th.

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