Knights Ready for American Championship

ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) -- The UCF men's golf team has set its lineup and is making final preparations for the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament, set for Sunday-Tuesday at the Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla.

UCF head coach Bryce Wallor has named junior Manuel Elvira, sophomore Donnie Trosper, freshman Bobby Bai, sophomore Kyler Tate and junior Juuso Kahlos to represent the Knights.

Wallor feels his team is heading into the conference tournament with a lot of confidence, following a recent team victory in the 3M Augusta Invitational.

"We have some very talented guys here," said Wallor. "I think they know how good they are, but I think reinforcing it with that type of experience is really good for their mind heading into the end part of the year."

Elvira was exempt from qualifying for The American Championship by virtue of winning all three qualifiers this semester, while already exempt due to his tournament play. Trosper was exempt from qualifying for The American after a Top 20 finish at the Boilermaker Invitational, where he tied for 19th. Bai and Tate were coaches' selections, which were made from the season-long tournament results (noted below). Kahlos was exempt from qualifying, with a Top 20 finish at the Boilermaker Invitational, where he led the team with a 13th-place finish.

This year's championship features three teams ranked in the Top 60, according to the latest Golfstat rankings. UCF comes in at No. 45 and is the conference's highest-rated team. Houston (No. 54) and USF (No. 56) are also among that group.

The American Championship will take place on the Par 71, 7125-yard Copperhead Course, beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday. Eighteen holes will be played Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.

The American Digital Network will have live coverage of the 18th hole on Tuesday, beginning at Noon. The ADN will also cover the awards ceremony with player and coach interviews.