WEST POINT, N.Y.  - The Army golf team will open its spring season, Monday and Tuesday (March 15-16) in Pauma Valley, Calif., at the USF Triumph.

The Black Knights will compete in five events this spring including three March tournaments.

The University of San Francisco is serving as the host of the 13-Triumph which will be held at the Pauma Valley Country Club, a traditional Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course with plenty of trees and mountain views that measures over 6,800 yards and plays to a par 72. Thirty-six holes are scheduled for Monday with 18 on Tuesday.

Army has utilized the spacious Groves Golf Training Facility and the Tappan Range as it prepares for the spring portion of its season under the direction Lt. Col. Rob Kewley, the interim head coach. Kewley takes the reigns from Major Chad Bagley who is attending U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Long-time Army golf coach Jimmy Ray Clevenger announced his retirement in December.

The Black Knights will travel with seven golfers and determine their lineup based up on the practice round. Senior captain James Raymond, juniors Wes Carver, Matt Krembel and Austin Rhymer, sophomore William Park and freshmen Eric Park and Matt Philie are all making the trip. Five golfers will represent Army and one will compete as an individual.

While in California, Army will also have a chance to spend time with Margaret Groves, whose husband, a 1958 West Point graduate, generously supported the indoor facility, a 5,000-square foot complex that allows the team to work on all aspect of its game, regardless of the weather.

After competing in the 54-hole tournament at Pauma Valley, the golf team will begin its brief spring break. The team will gather in Virginia and play the CNF Bank Intercollegiate in Kingsmill, Va., March 22-23.

Krembel leads the team with four top-10 finishes in the fall, including a win at the Mulekicker Fall Classic at West Point and a third-place finish at the Leo Kennan Invitational in Olean, N.Y. He has a team-best 72.3 average.

Phillie has three top-10 finishes in his first year, including a third-place finish at the Mulekicker while Raymond competed in all four fall events and placed in the top-20 on two occasions.

Carver posted a top-six finish at the Service Academy Championships while Rhymer competed three times during the fall season. William Park didn't finish any higher than 16th in three events in the fall. Eric Park played in one event during the fall.

In addition to Army, Loyola Marymount, University of British Columbia, Jackson State, Air Force, California State-Long Beach, Campbell, Portland, Hartford, Central Arkansas, Columbia, Weber State and the San Francisco are expected to participate.

2010 Army Golf Spring Schedule
March 15-16 at USF Triumph, Pauma Valley, Calif.
March 22-23 at CNF Bank Intercollegiate, Kingsmill, Va.
March 27-28 at Towson Spring Invitational, Grasonville, Md.
April 9-11 at Lafayette Spring Invitational, Easton, Pa.
April 24-25 at Patriot League Championships, Hamilton, N.Y.
May 20-22 at NCAA Regioanls

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