For the first time in several years, the Hillsdale College men's golf team will play host to a collegiate golf tournament.
On Monday and Tuesday, March 14-15, the Chargers will be the host for the inaugural Bell Collegiate, played at Mid Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Twelve teams are slated to compete in the invitational, including five of Hillsdale's G-MAC rivals, in what could be a critical Midwest Regional event.
The tournament is named after Peggy Kirk Bell, who bought and restored Pine Needles, the sister property of Mid Pines, together with her husband in 1954. A world-famous golf instructor whose philosophy was "play golf, and have fun doing it", Ms. Bell was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2019 in the lifetime achievement category.
"We are honored to be able to host our tournament at Mid Pines in recognition of Ms. Bell and everything that she has done for the game of golf," said Hillsdale College men's golf coach Matt Thompson. ""We are very excited to get to host an event, and at such a great venue.
"Hosting a tournament gives every player on our team the opportunity to compete, and I believe the overall experience will be something that these guys remember for a long time."
Hillsdale has a long history with Mid Pines, whose sister course, Pine Needles, is the host of the 2022 U.S. Women's Open. The Chargers have made a spring break trip to North Carolina every March for several years now to prepare for the home stretch of the season, and Mid Pines has been a frequent stop on that trip.
Because of those trips, it's a course the Chargers are very familiar with, but it's also a world class course, designed in 1921 by legendary golf course architect Donald Ross to fit neatly into the surrounding natural landscape, as was his signature style. The course plays at a length of 6,723 yards and is a par 72.
As an old-school, well-preserved course, Mid Pines is regarded highly among golf connoisseurs and pros alike and has played host to many national championships, including the 2002 USGA Senior Women's Amateur Championship. It's sure to provide a memorable setting for a collegiate invitational.
Once the competition starts on Monday, you can follow along with live results from the event at this link.