TOWSON, Md. – Spencer Alexander is looking forward to participating in his third consecutive Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship event.
 
The junior sports management major is rolling into historic Pinehurst with plenty of momentum after finishing strong in his last two events. He was third overall at the Towson Invitational after shooting a 143 (-1) on the weekend of April 6-7. Alexander was ninth in the Cape Fear Intercollegiate Tournament.
 
"Spencer has worked really hard through some swing changes over the last year, in order to get to a different level," Towson head coach Mike Larkin said. "He struggled at first, which is to be expected, but his play recently has been extremely solid and that's a testament to the work he's put in. He's got a different intensity lately and the results are starting to match up with what I think he expects of himself."
 
Those two finishes plus his performances in the last two years at the CAA Championships has Alexander and the Tigers expecting big things this weekend. Joining Alexander at the CAA Championships will be senior William Bachelor, sophomore Kobdech Rodrat, sophomore Jackson Courtney and freshman Justin Griffith.
 
The 54-hole tournament ends on Sunday afternoon with the winning team earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. Nine squads will participate in the men's championship on the par 71, 6,937-yard course. Towson won the CAA championship in 2010, giving them the most recent of their four NCAA appearances. The other three appearances were in 2000, 2004, and 2005.

"We are all excited to go to a historic place like Pinehurst," Alexander said. "I believe the team is ready for this week. We just need to be confident in ourselves and enjoy the moment. Putting has kept me from playing to my full potential so that's been the focus this year."
 
Alexander, who led the Tigers during last season's CAA championships with 36 pars and eight birdies, finished tied for 11th overall.
 
Alexander was third at the CAA Championship as a freshman, turning in an impressive performance in which he finished the weekend with a 210 (-6). His 6-under was tied for the sixth lowest three-round total in CAA Championship history.
 
He has only played four events this year, but Alexander is playing his best golf at the most important time. In the fall, Alexander competed in two events and finished with a 76.0 average over five rounds. He shot a season best 69 (-2) at the Patriot Intercollegiate, which contributed to Towson finishing second as a team.
 
Alexander continued relying on his mental toughness to get through the rough periods during the year.
 
"For me, it was learning how to be relaxed before and during the tournament round that has helped me immensely," Alexander said. "That mindset would help players at all skill levels. Also, helping me to be more effective is I know I can always rely on my tee ball and short game."
 
Alexander started playing golf when he was 4 years old because his older brother Jeffrey started playing through his baseball friends. While he was learning the nuances of golf, Alexander's favorite athlete was tennis standout Roger Federer.
 
"Not just his unbelievable work ethic and skill, but also for the way he carried himself on and off the court," Alexander said. "Also my dad of course, was a big influence on me. We don't listen much as kids, but now I can appreciate all the life lessons he's taught me."
 
While he knows his performance as a freshman was legendary, Alexander is excited with the opportunity to make a greater impact before he earns his degree.
 
"My last three years at Towson have been great," Alexander said. "I couldn't ask for better teammates. I've had the privilege to play under two great coaches. The best part of being on the team is the laughs. It's impossible to be in a bad mood around these guys."