GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- With the return of six lettermen from last season's squad, the Tusculum men's golf team will open the fall portion of its 2013-14 schedule this week at the Smoky Mountain Intercollegiate in Sevierville, Tenn.

Coach Bob Dibble is entering his 25th season at the helm of the Tusculum program as the Pioneers will be looking to improve on last year's fifth place showing in the South Atlantic Conference at last year's championship at the Sevierville Golf Club - River Course.

The River Course is the same venue that will host next week's Smoky Mountain Intercollegiate on Monday and Tuesday and will once again be the site of the SAC Championship this spring.

Sophomore Nick Forsberg is back following one of the best rookie campaigns in program history. The Staples, Minn. product posted a freshman single-season record 74.73 scoring average while earning All-SAC second team recognition. The Motley High School graduate played in all 10 events, accounting for six top-20 performances including three in the top-five.

Greeneville, Tenn. senior Dakota Norton enters his final collegiate campaign with a 77.73 career stroke average, which is the 16th-best in program history. Last year, he finished sixth on the team with his 78.00 scoring average, while playing in nine of Tusculum's 10 tournaments. The Greeneville High School graduated recorded three top-20 performances, including one in the top-10.

Junior Warren Cheney played in seven events last season, carding a 76.76 scoring average, which was fourth-best on the team. The Nashville, Tenn. native (Father Ryan HS) captured medalist honors at the 2013 Walters State Fall Classic, winning in a 7-hole playoff.

Fall Branch, Tenn. junior Leif Ratliff posted a 77.83 stroke average while playing in six tournaments. The Abeka Christian Academy alum tied for 13th place at the Tusculum Fall Classic last year.

Coleman Click also returns for his junior campaign. The Columbus, Ind. native (Columbus North HS) appeared in four tournaments and posted a 78.13 scoring average and tied for 17th at the Tusculum Fall Classic a year ago.

Sophomore Samuel Davis rounds out the group of returners for the Pioneers as the Harriman, Tenn. native (Harriman HS) tallied an 81.75 scoring average in his four competitive rounds.

The 2013-14 roster includes a pair of newcomers in Knoxville, Tenn. rookies Chris Hutson and Jake Mendenhall.

Hutson was a two-time All-KIL selection at Farragut High School. He lettered four years in golf and led the Admirals to three state tournament appearances, including top-10 finishes in district and regional tournaments in back-to-back seasons.

Mendenhall garnered All-District, All-Region and All-KIL honors at Carter High School where he also won 2012 regional championship.

Following the Smoky Mountain Intercollegiate, Tusculum returns to action a week later on Sep. 16-17 for the Kiawah Island Invitational at Cougar Point Golf Club in Kiawah Island, S.C.

- TC -