As students spend these last few weeks studying for final exams and presentations, the Cougar men’s golf team will face their ultimate test: the 2015 Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship.

With a change of pace, Bill Moos, WSU’s Director of Athletics, hosted Cougar Calls from Banyans on the Ridge to stay near the action in honor of Pullman’s first time hosting the championship.

Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship

John Johnson, Senior Associate Director of WSU Athletics, was a guest on Cougar Calls and spoke of how large-scale events such as the Pac-12 Championships come together.

Johnson is no stranger to putting on Pac-12 championship events. Last year, WSU hosted the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships, and next year Pullman will host the Pac-12 Cross Country Championships.

The workings of the three-day event began more than a year ago.

“It’s quite a feat,” Johnson said. “I think we have over 200 people that have worked with the event in addition to athletes and coaches.”

This is the first time the Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championships have ever been in Pullman.

Palouse Ridge Golf Course is one of the country’s top-rated college courses. Due to the structure of the Pac-12, the championships are on a rotation. The next time the Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championships return to Pullman may be 12 years from now.

“We are thrilled to be here,” said Gloria Nevarez, Pac-12 senior associate commissioner. “This is one of the best tournaments in the country.”

There are seven teams in the top-25 in the nation competing at Palouse Ridge this week.

“This is a really great opportunity to come out and see a wonderful course,” Nevarez said. “You can also see some of the best in the nation that you will be seeing in the PGA Tour.”

The championship rounds will be played today and tomorrow and admission is free.

Spring Football Game 2015

With all the madness revolving around golf and baseball, football fanatics were able to take in a breath of fresh gridiron Saturday in Spokane at the 2015 Crimson and Gray Game.

“My observation of the game was that I thought we looked fast,” Moos said. “We’ve got good talent and talent in reserve.”

The Crimson team, with redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Falk, defeated the Gray team by a score of 31-29.

“I thought our offensive line was pretty even with our defensive line,” said Clay McGuire, WSU’s offensive line coach.

As summer training prepares to kick into high gear, training together as a team and promoting a connection on the field is a focus for the coaching staff, he said.

“We don’t want a separation in the team,” McGuire said. “We want everybody on that field working.”

WSU Baseball

Cougar baseball returned from Salt Lake City last weekend where they competed against and beat the Utes.

WSU won the first game by a score of 10-3, and then lost the second game Saturday with a final score of 4-1. The Cougars were able to pull ahead Sunday, where they defeated Utah, 6-1.

“If we continue to be playing like we’re playing for the rest of the year, we’re definitely a postseason-type team,” WSU baseball Head Coach Donnie Marbut said.

WSU’s next series will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Pullman where the Cougars will host Arizona. First pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m.

“They just keep getting better every day,” Marbut said. “They’re a really fun group to coach; they do something new and exciting each day.”

Though a majority of Marbut’s team is on the younger side, there is not shortage of leadership.

“The best team is when your best players are your best leaders,” Marbut said.