EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time this season, the University of Evansville men’s and women’s golf teams will compete at the same time as they will take part in the Butler Invitational on Monday and Tuesday at Highland Country Club in Indianapolis.
 
The men’s competition will feature 54 holes of action with 36 being played on Monday followed by a single round of 18 on Tuesday.  The women will play 18 holes each day.  A shotgun start will begin action at 8 a.m. both days.
 
Griffin Wood has led the Purple Aces through two tournaments this season, averaging just over 73 strokes per round.  Last time out at the UK Invitational, Wood notched one of the top round of the tournament, shooting a 5-under 67 on his way to a tie for 28^th place.  In the season-opening Fossum Invitational, Wood shot a 2-over 218 on his way to a tie for third place overall.
 
Michael Sainz has also had a strong start to the season, averaging 74.8 strokes per round.  He is the only player on the UE squad to finish all six rounds with scores in the 70’s.
 
On the women’s side, Lauren Ellerman has paced the Aces with a team-low average of 85.0.  She has been the most consistent Ace through a pair of tournaments, recording an 87 or lower in each round.  She is followed closely by Sydney Skiles, whose 85.8 average  puts her second on the team.  Her third-round score of 80 at the season-opening Redbird Invitational remains the lowest round of the season for UE.
 
Seven men’s teams will be playing in the Butler Invitational including; Butler, IUPUI, Green Bay, Valparaiso, Chicago State and Eastern Illinois.  The women’s event will field nine teams featuring; Butler, Ball State, IUPUI, Green Bay, Valparaiso, Indiana State, Western Illinois and Eastern Illinois.
 
Evansville is looking to match its success from last season as the Aces swept the individual and team championships.  Michael Sainz took medalist honors while leading UE to the team championship, 19 strokes ahead of second place IUPUI.