PALM CITY, Fla. - Taking a trip to the coast, Sun Devil men's golf travels to Florida to compete in the Valspar Collegiate Invitational on March 25-26. The tournament is a 54-hole stroke play format, 36 holes on the first day and 18 on the second with a shotgun start each day.
THE WAGR RANKINGS
Three Sun Devils are in the recent top-20 World Amateur Golf Rankings, led by Wenyi Ding (8), Preston Summerhays (10), and Josele Ballester (17).
SUN DEVIL TOP 100 WAGR RANKINGS (MAR. 19, 2024)
8 - Wenyi Ding
10 - Preston Summerhays
17 - Josele Ballester
46 - Luke Potter
67 - Michael Mjaaseth
94 - Ryggs Johnston
THE LINEUP
Representing the Sun Devils in Palm City will be Preston Summerhays, Wenyi Ding, Josele Ballester, Connor Williams, and Michael Mjaaseth.
THE COMPETITION
In addition to ASU, Alabama, Arkansas, Duke, Florida State, Houston, Lamar, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Florida, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest will be competing.
OUR TOURNAMENT HISTORY HERE
Last season, the team finished in a tie for sixth at the 2023 Valspar Invitational after shooting an even-par 284. Preston Summerhays finished the tournament tied for fourth and 9-under, just two strokes off from the leader.
LAST TIME OUT
ASU won the Cabo Collegiate Tournament by nine strokes, and did it shooting 11-under 273 in the final round, as only two other teams were under par on day two of play. Three Sun Devils finished in the top-10, led by Preston Summerhays who shot an 8-under 205 and finished third.
BEN HOGAN WATCH LIST
Forty of the nation's most accomplished collegiate golfers across all levels have been named to the watch list for the 2024 Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank, including Sun Devil Men's Golf's very own Wenyi Ding and Preston Summerhays. The selection committee is composed of more than 30 leaders in collegiate, amateur and professional golf. Recipients of the Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank have combined to accumulate 85 worldwide victories, including 64 PGA TOUR wins, and have amassed more than $395 million in prize money on the PGA TOUR.
Wenyi Ding ??? and Preston Summerhays ??? are both on the @BenHoganAward Watch List.
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) February 20, 2024
Keep an eye out for these two this spring season… #ForksUp?? pic.twitter.com/FOicw8WlUI
ABOUT THE COURSE -- WHAT THEY WROTE
This stunning, yet formidable par-71 will certainly impress. At 7,114 yards, the 18-hole course offers perfectly manicured rolling fairways and greens, demanding hazards, breathtaking views of the St. Lucie River, and is surrounded by natural preserve and native wildlife.
DETERMINED DING
Wenyi Ding was the 2022 US Junior Amateur Champion and is currently the youngest champion on the China Tour. Ding is the newest Amer Ari Invitational individual champion after shooting the lowest 54-hole tournament score in NCAA history with a 27-under 189 (63-64-62). He helped aid the team to a win at the Cabo Collegiate Invitational. He joined the team after the 2023 fall semester.
UNDER PAR PRESTON
Preston Summerhays has been a force to be reckoned with during his time with ASU. He earned his way into the Fortinet Championship after winning the Sahalee Players Championship in a playoff after firing a 5-under 211 (72-67-72) and earned Pac-12 Golfer of the Week. At the Cabo Collegiate Invitational, he finished 9-under in the team win. He was the 2021-22 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
BOLD BALLESTER
Josele Ballester was the 2023 European Amateur champion, which included a 10-under in the first round. He has earned honorable mention All-America honors in each of his first two seasons. In 2022-23, he had a 70.56 stroke average in 13 tournaments (39 rounds) that included three top-10 finishes in his final five tournaments. In his 2023 fall campaign, he had two top-10's in four tournaments.
WONDER WILLIAMS
Connor Williams is an impressive freshman who was the Southern California Jr. Amateur Champion. Helping aid the Sun Devils to their victory at the Cypress Point Classic, Williams went 3 & 2 with partner Luke Potter to defeat Stanford. He helped aid the team to a win at the Cabo Collegiate Invitational. He was also ranked No. 16 in the 2023 class.
MIGHTY MICHAEL
Michael Mjaaseth appeared in four tournaments during the fall campaign and competed as an individual at the Sahalee Players Championship. He shot a round of 67 (-5) en-route to a T-15 finish at the Ben Simpson Collegiate Invitational. He was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, the sixth Sun Devil to win the award since its inception in 1999 and the fourth consecutive ASU men's golfer to achieve the honor.
2024 VALSPAR INVITATIONAL
MARCH 25-26, 2024
FLORIDIAN
PAR-71/7,114 YARDS
Arizona State
Alabama
Arkansas
Duke
Florida State
Houston
Lamar
North Carolina
Ohio State
Oklahoma
South Florida
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Vanderbilt
Wake Forest
SUN DEVIL LINEUP
Preston Summerhays
Wenyi Ding
Josele Ballester
Connor Williams
Michael Mjaaseth.