Imagine being watched by your idol as you emulate the game they have mastered. Each year, the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational invites only the top college golf teams from around the country to compete in front of their idols: Charles Howell III, Mark O'Meara, John Cook, Lee Janzen and even the world's number one golfer. These touring professionals have been seen spectating as the best collegiate players from around the country take on the course they call home.
Tournament History
In 2004, the University of Central Florida and Tavistock Group teamed up to create the best tournament in collegiate sports at one of the finest courses in the country. The Isleworth Collegiate Invitational was designed to give players and coaches the feel of a major for college golf. Sixteen of the nation's best collegiate teams were invited to participate in the inaugural event.
The University of Georgia was the only team under par and took home the team trophy with a score of 863 (-1). Oklahoma State's Pablo Martin and Georgia's Chris Kirk tied for medalist honors with a score of 209 (-7).
In 2005, the field was increased to 18 teams and the weather altered the new three day format. Hurricane Wilma caused tournament officials to play 36 holes on the first day, cancel the second day and play the last 18 holes on the final day. Georgia successfully defended its title by shooting a team total of 872 (+8). Oklahoma State closed the gap to within two shots after 14 holes, but ended up in second with a total of 879 (+15). Once again, Chris Kirk of Georgia and Pablo Martin of Oklahoma State battled for medalist honors. Martin prevailed with a three round total of 212 (-4) and Kirk finished second with a three round total of 214 (-2).
In 2006, the University of Texas men's golf team pulled away from the 18-team field in the final round of the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational on Tuesday to earn its first team title of the season. The Longhorns opened the final round with just a one-shot lead on fellow Big XII member Oklahoma State at the Isleworth Golf & Country Club, but by the end of the day the Texas lead turned into a 12-stroke victory over runner-up Florida. Brian Harmon of Georgia captured medalist honors with a three round total of 216 (E) to win by one stroke over Florida's Billy Horschel and Wake Forest's Dustin Groves.
In 2007, the Georgia Bulldogs showcased a tournament record performance. In a field highlighted by six of the top 10 teams in the country, the Bulldogs stole the show with a single-round scoring record of 275 (-13) Monday and easily held on thanks to a 275 (-13) on Tuesday. The 56-hole total of 841 (-23) smashed another mark as well, eclipsing the old record set by the Bulldogs in 2005 (863). Individual medalist honors were decided in a highly contested dual between Georgia’s Harris English and Southern California’s Jamie Lovemark. With English up a stroke with just a few holes to play, he put away the title with birdies on No. 16 and No. 17, defeating Lovemark by three strokes.
2004 2005 2006xxxxxxxxxx2007
*Winning Team
Tournament Partners
Founded in 1963, UCF is located in Orlando, Florida, and currently has over 45,000 students enrolled making it the
6th largest university in the country. The men's golf program has made nine trips to an NCAA regional, including
2004, 2005 and 2007, and has advanced to the NCAA Championships three times, finishing as high as 12th.
As one of Tavistock Group's premier Orlando residential country clubs, Isleworth boasts an outstanding course conceived and designed by Arnold Palmer
and Ed Seay and recently enhanced by Steve Smyers. The club has a lavish Mediterranean clubhouse with a new 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art men's grill that boasts an indoor half basketball court, golf simulator and putting
green, all surrounded by plasma screen televisions. The golf course was built on rolling terrain and features greens
that are generous, undulating and fast. Located on the picturesque Butler Chain of Lakes, Isleworth has established
itself as one of the world's most prestigious luxury living communities.
The Central Florida Sports Commission (CFSC) is a private, non-profit organization that plays a vital role in
soliciting and attracting international, national and regional sporting events, activities and sports related business
to the Central Florida Region. The CFSC's mission has and will always be to create a partnership of success by
diversifying our economic base using sports as a vehicle.
