Although Hershey, Pennsylvania is primarily known for churning out Kisses and candy bars, this week its sweetest sights are set on hosting the most delectable Division III men's golf tournament of the year: the men's NCAA 2010 Golf Championships. Today, 42 of the nation's top Division III men's golf teams are competing on two courses located in the Chocolate City - the East Course at Hershey Country Club and Hershey Links.
Some of the most talented teams and individuals in the division are competing. Among the competing teams that are favored to win the tournament include Methodist University, Huntingdon College, Guilford College, Greensboro College, and Skidmore College. Individual favorites teeing off today include Guilford College's Peter Latimer, Methodist University's Josh Schrader and Liam Friedman, and Claremont Mudd Scripp's Tain Lee.
The players teed off this morning in cool and cloudy weather, which is likely to continue for the rest of the day in addition to occasional rain showers. Today's temperature should top out at 55 degrees. Warmer weather should to move into the area tomorrow (high of 66 degrees) and Thursday (high of 67 degrees), but ought to be accompanied with greater chances of rain and thunderstorms.
Both courses - the East Course at Hershey Country Club and Hershey Links - provide golfers with a fantastic chance to test a wide array of their skill sets. The East Course opened in 1969 and designed by George Fazio. The par-71 plays 7,061 yards from its back tees. One of its most noteworthy holes is its 16th hole, which is a long downhill par-3 over water. This closing par-3 delivers a real gut check to players who are on the cusp of posting solid rounds. In contrast to the design style of the East Course, Hershey Links is a modern course (it opened in 2003) that has a par of 72 and meanders through 175 acres of what once was farmland. Two par-5's bookend Hershey Links, which is often an invited trait for golfers battling early round jitters and/or are wishing to close with a birdie or an eagle. Players will likely face the most difficulty on the course's 7th hole, a long uphill par-4.
Depending on the wind, either course can play as the most difficult of the two. Stay tuned for recaps (the first round's recap will be available tonight) to stay up-to-date on who is positioning themselves to take home the hardware come Thursday.
Click Here to view the tournament's current leaderboard
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