Regarded as one of the top collegiate golf events in the nation, the 14th annual Linger Longer Invitational (LLI) at Reynolds Lake Oconee will take place at the historic Landing course, March 14-17, 2019.
The Linger Longer Invitational showcases leading collegiate players from around the country as they compete for the individual and team titles in a 54-hole stroke-play tournament.
Four-time LLI team champions, No. 13-ranked University of Alabama, will return to Reynolds to defend its title against a strong field of competitors, including four-time LLI champion and last year’s 2nd-place finisher, No. 15-ranked University of Georgia.
Some of the most competitive college golf programs in the country will contend for the title, including: No. 22-ranked University of Tennessee, former two-time NCAA champion Augusta University, co-hosts Kennesaw State University and Mercer University, Ohio State University, Penn State, Toledo University, University of South Alabama, University of Louisville, Liberty University, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and University of Virginia.
This year’s individual field is also composed of some of the country’s top-ranked collegiate players. Among them is Trent Phillips, a freshman at the University of Georgia, who is ranked 6th; Davis Riley, a senior at the University of Alabama, currently ranked 9th; and Will Grimmer, an Ohio State University senior ranked 11th.
Linger Longer Invitational alumni include PGA TOUR players with combined earnings of close to $225 million and 41 tour victories. Former LLI participants include three-time major champion Brooks Koepka (Florida State), 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas (Alabama), popular superstar Rickie Fowler (Oklahoma State), Russell Henley, Brian Harman and Chris Kirk (Georgia), Beau Hossler (Texas) and Kyle Stanley (Clemson). Last year’s individual winner, Lee Hodges (Alabama), is currently on the Web.com Tour.
The Linger Longer Invitational has been held at three of the six golf courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee – twice at the Oconee (2006, 2007), followed by three years at the Landing (2008-2010), and most recently at Great Waters (2011-2018). This year’s tournament will return to The Landing golf course. Designed by legendary architect Bob Cupp, The Landing was the first course built at Lake Oconee in 1986 and was acquired by Reynolds in 2005 and renovated in 2013.
Among the special experiences of the Linger Longer Invitational is player housing, provided by families throughout Reynolds Lake Oconee, ranked one of the “25 Best Golf Communities in North America” by GOLF Magazine. Each year host families personalize the experience and provide players with a “home away from home” during the competition. Tournament week has created lasting friendships, truly setting this event apart from others.
