Fourth annual Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational tees off

SAUCIER, Miss. (WXXV)- Some of the nation’s top college golfers took over the Fallen Oak Golf Course as the fourth annual Collegiate Invitational got underway.

The Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational is back for its fourth year, bringing top-tier competition and a chance for fans to watch the next generation of golfers in action.

Fifteen college golf programs are competing this weekend. Day one featured a special round that paired each college golfer with four amateur players to get them warmed up for the official tournament, which starts Saturday and ends Monday. University of Tennessee Golfer Rudy Sautron said, “We have a lot of expectations as a team, for myself too, we’re just excited to play and see where the tournament takes us. I’m hoping for a win for sure.”

With nine teams ranked in Golf Channel’s Preseason Top 30, the stakes are high at Fallen Oak.

Fans can catch all the action for free, while they cheer on their favorite teams, and check out vendors throughout the event. Tournament Director Ashley Comstock said, “We’re so appreciative of our local businesses that have taken advantage of this opportunity and who’ve put their investment into because they know the potential this has. They know how far this has grown in just four short years and it’s very inspiring especially for our youth, who are thinking about golf or have seen it on tv. So, to see these young guys really be enthusiastic about it and to make a future career out of it.”

Golfers have the chance to win official team merchandise and a GMC truck for the first player to score a hole-in-one.

The event also has a bigger purpose with $5,000 going to Make-A-Wish Mississippi, making this tournament a win for the community.