Montgomery, Ala. | Alabama State will tee it up for the first time this season as the Hornets travel to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for the GolfWeek Program Challenge, September 8-11.

A total of 14 different schools will be competing in a stroke play format that encompasses three days and 54-holes. Joining Alabama State in the field are: Austin Peay, Bradley, Campbell, Delaware, Florida Gulf Coast, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville State, Old Dominion, Presbyterian, South Dakota, Stephen F. Austin and Tennessee Tech. Campbell has dominated the event, winning five of the previous six GolfWeek Program Challenge Titles.

"Overall, I am pleased with the manner in which our men's and women's golf programs have prepped for the season.  I am actually relieved that we have a group of young men and women that are striving for excellence," Alabama State head coach Dr. Gary Grandison said.

The men get things started at True Blue Golf Club on Sunday, a par 72, 6,926-yard course while the women play at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club (par 71, 5,904 yards).

The Lady Hornets will be paired with Stephen F. Austin and Presbyterian on the opening day, with Abigail Pederson, Mack Bailey, Jade Sanders, Kei Harris and Shania Jones leading the charge.

Mbongeni Maphosa Jr., Thomas Caddell, Ben Swaffield, Thacher Neal and Noel Sims comprise the starting five for the men, as the Hornets will pair with Tennesse Tech and South Dakota to open the tournament.

"I expect my upperclassmen to lead our men," Grandison said. "In losing Chanelle Avaricio, arguably the best women's golfer in SWAC history, I expect multiple Hornets to sting this season."

Alabama State will be looking to continue its SWAC dominance. The Lady Hornets have won five of six SWAC tournaments while the men will be looking to improve upon their second-place finish in 2018 after capturing the crown for six consecutive seasons.

For the latest tournament results, click here (men) and here (women).

Following this weekend's tournament, the women will compete in the USA Intercollegiate September 14 -17. The men's next tournament is September 28 in Atlanta, where Dr. Grandison's club will participate in the National Black College Hall of Fame Invitational.

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