Hot off a victory in the National Invitational in Tucson last week, the ASU men's golf team is looking to win back-to-back tournaments for the first time this year.
This weekend, the Sun Devils play host to the 32nd annual ASU Thunderbird Invitational.
ASU will welcome 14 other teams, seven of which are Pac-10 schools, to the par 72, 7,037-yard Karsten Golf Course.
If the tournament is anything like last year's, the competing schools would be better off staying home this weekend. ASU fired a tournament record 824 (-40), blowing away the rest of the competition in last year's tournament.
Last year's win marked the fourth time in the past five years that the Sun Devils have been crowned champion of their own tournament.
"We do treat this tournament a bit different than any other tournament during the season, because we want to take advantage of playing at home," head coach Randy Lein said. "I would be very disappointed not to win this tournament."
Over the past ten years, the Sun Devils have not disappointed. ASU has finished first or second in every Thunderbird Invitational since 1994.
In a sport where home matches are few and far between, playing at the Karsten Golf Course is special for the players.
"It is a very important tournament for the team, in that they will be playing in front of friends, family and boosters," Lein said. "It's really exciting for our kids to play in front of everyone."
This weekend also marks the last time senior Chez Reavie will play in the Thunderbird Invitational. Reavie currently leads the Sun Devils with a 71.17 stroke average, the best for any ASU player since the 1999-2000 season.
"Chez has accomplished a lot of things in his career," Lein said. "However, he hasn't won a golf tournament. Hopefully he will win his first on Saturday."
Reavie has dominated during his tenure at ASU as he has racked up 20 top ten finishes in the 39 collegiate events he has participated in. Reavie will also have a chance later this season to become the only Sun Devil besides Phil Mickelson to have at least three top 10 finishes in the NCAA Championships.
"[Chez] has always been a performer. I threw him into the fire his freshman year, and he finished fourth at nationals," Lein said. "He is one of the best Sun Devils to ever play golf."
Following the Thunderbird Invitational, ASU will head back to Tucson for the Pac-10 championships.
"The Pac-10 is a real shootout this year," Lein said. "This tournament is a real momentum builder heading into the Pac-10 tourney."
Reach the Reporter at Matt.Reinick@asu.edu.
