By Emmanuel Valadez |Staff Writer|

The Coyote men’s golf team are getting ready for the Coyote Classic Invitational.

The Coyote Classic is our home invitational.

This is their only home match played all season and will take place at the Arrowhead Country Club (CC) in San Bernardino from Feb. 23 to 24.

The Cal State University, Stanislaus Warriors won the event in 2014. This year the Coyotes are seeking redemption.

The Coyotes’ last tournament was in October at Sonoma State University versus the Seawolves. The Coyotes have since been preparing nonstop for the spring season.

The members at Arrowhead CC have granted the men’s golf team privileges to play at their golf course five times a week with no fees to the player.

Alex Coats has been spending most of his time preparing his mental game for the Coyote Classic at Arrowhead CC.

“I plan on strategically figuring out what my best chance is at shooting the best score I can,” said Coats.

Several players shared that they feel a strong advantage playing at home.

Ryan Card said, “Our home course sets up well for my style of play.”

Taylor Hood stated, “We have a big advantage. We all know how the course is going to play and we know the greens, which is the difficult part for other teams.” 

Card, who finished within the Top 10 at Sonoma State last October, said, “With the right preparation, [I] should be able to match that top ten or even be in contention to win ideally.”

Hood also said that he has worked on his consistency and putting which he struggled with finishing during the fall season.

Hood has put countless hours into preparing mentally, physically and spiritually.

He said, “I’ve been working with my swing coach Tyler Miller with my swing and putting. We put in a lot of work over the break and it’s really coming together. And I’ve been training with my personal trainer as well.”

The golf team will be under the wing of assistant coach Gene Webster, who currently holds the all-time record at the Coyote Classic for finishing 14-under.

The Coyotes will face several of the best teams in the country this upcoming season.

Teams ranked in the Top 15 of the Division-II NCAA will compete in the Coyote Classic, such as the third-ranked Chico State, seventh-ranked Simon Fraser, and 11th-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay.

The Coyotes are notably in one of the toughest conferences at the Division-II level.

Teams from all over the mid-west come to California to play during winter due to their weather conditions back home.

For those who want to support the men’s golf team, come to the Arrowhead CC on Feb. 23-24.

The tournament begins at 7 a.m. The day is a strenuous 36 holes, therefore, you are welcome to stop by throughout the day to watch the competition.

Admission to watching the tournament is free and flash photography is not permitted.

The Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) has organized a pack attack for the tournament.