Inaugural Put Me In Coach Invitational brings a vibe and an opportunity to the back of college lineups

Sometimes all it takes is an opportunity. The aptly named Put Me In Coach Invitational is exactly that – with a soundtrack to match.

The tournament name just makes sense, said Ball State head coach Mike Fleck, when you look at what a new early-fall event for individuals is offering. Individual events – or the expansion of full-field events to allow for extra individuals on the tee sheet – is a trend right now in college golf.

“It’s an individual event for guys that are trying to find their way into the lineup that are maybe in a different position than maybe your top players and it’s just a cool, catchy, ‘Hey, Coach, pay attention to me and put me in. If I play well, put me in coach.’”

In the tournament’s first iteration on Sept. 15-16 at Delaware Country Club in Muncie, Indiana, the catch-phrase made popular in the 1980s John Fogerty song “Centerfield” was on a loop pre-tournament, mixed into the playlist as players warmed up on the practice facilities. Sure there was a vibe, but there was also business to do.

Scores: Put Me In Coach Invitational

Michael Weber of Miami University (Ohio) and Virgilio Paz of Missouri tied for first in the 54-hole, both finishing at 1 under before Paz won in a playoff. It’s the first college title for Paz, a junior who transferred from New Mexico last year.

While Paz and three other Missouri teammates were competing in Muncie, the Tigers also took a team to the Canadian Collegiate in Ontario.

“Before the tournament started we had a team meeting making sure everyone acknowledged that we are representing University of Missouri and the SEC just as much as the other guys are,” assistant coach Paola Cortes-Ortiz said. “The course required a lot of patience, smart decisions and commitment and that’s exactly what the guys competed with.”

Delaware Country Club, an old-style club, didn’t give up much with only 12 players logging a round under par. Fleck called it an easy golf course for spectators to get around and one that’s always in pristine condition.

Next year, as the Put Me In Coach Invitational returns to Delaware CC, the tournament will also expand to include a women’s division. That will come on the heels of Delaware Country Club hosting both the Indiana Open and Indiana Women’s Open in 2025.

“I think it’s hugely important,” Fleck said of the Put Me In Coach concept. “These kids are getting on campuses and we’re getting qualifying rounds going. There’s just a little bit different vibe obviously when you’re playing in a tournament environment in a setting versus when you’re qualifying though an intersquad match.”

Golf is unique among college sports in its lack of a bench. The whole roster doesn’t travel and that can leave as many as three to five players at home missing out on the experience of tournament golf.

Among the 30-player field, 21 players were true freshmen. Fleck, who started four players and two of them freshmen, noted the tournament was a particularly good way for those players to get their feet wet in college golf.

The Put Me In Coach Invitational expands on Golfweek’s long-running college tournament series which spans Divisions I through III and includes both fall and spring events.

“I’m really excited about this event – it adds to our lineup of college events and trying to provide more opportunities for college golf,” said tournament director Lance Ringler of Golfweek.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Inaugural Put Me In Coach Invitational brings a vibe and an opportunity to the back of college lineups