The Arizona men’s golf team could not be any more on the spot for what has become known as a “”bubble team.”” Currently the team sits at 61-61-1, right on the .500 mark which is the bare minimum qualification for earning a spot in the playoffs.

“”We are right in it,”” said UA assistant coach John Knauer. “”We are a bubble team, not in for sure yet, but definitely not out.””

The team will head to San Diego for the Barona Cup, held at Barona Creek Golf Course starting Monday as part of a two-day tournament. If the Wildcats have any hopes of entering the postseason, they are going to need to pick up some crucial ground.

“”We need to be competing in the top-3,”” said Knauer. “”Everyone’s been working hard in practice and we are all under the understanding that we need to play well.””

The only problem is Arizona has never played at this course before, and for a team that relies on course knowledge as a key component to its game, the tournament could prove to be difficult.

“”It is a place we have not gone and we don’t know the course,”” Knauer said. “”I do expect lower scores, though, because the course is in such great shape.””

The team is making another switch in its starting five as senior Trey Denton will make his first tournament start of the year, taking the place of freshman Jonathan Khan, who made his first start last weekend. Khan has been bothered by back problems but should be back in the lineup for the National Invitational Tournament in Tucson on March 25. The rest of the lineup is the usual four – freshmen Tarquin Macmanus and Roberto Galletti and senior Creighton Honeck and junior Tyler Neal rounding out the group.

The Wildcats are going to need a strong effort next week as they try to balance themselves on the bubble they currently sit on.

“”If we can get everyone to get it together in the same round, we will be good,”” said Knauer.