CHATTANOOGA ? The Louisiana Tech golf team will open the 2007 fall season Monday when the Bulldogs compete in the 18-team Scenic City Invitational at Council Fire Golf Club.

Louisiana Tech coach Jean Hall said he is excited about his team beginning the season against such a top-notch field which includes top 75 teams in LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Charlotte and Chattanooga.

?We are fortunate to get into this tournament,? Hall said. ?This is an incredible field of teams, and it will be a great test for our team. It?s played on one of the top courses in the country. Council Fire will host the 2008 NCAA Regionals so that tells you what an outstanding course it is.?

Council Fire is a par 72, 6,999-yard course located in Chattanooga. Charlotte is the defending champion at the tournament.

Hall said that his five-member team this week would consist of seniors Chad Bailey and Dustin Baker, juniors Amrith de Soysa and Corey Bartlett, and sophomore Matthew Harvey.

?This should be our year to step up,? Hall said. ?If we don?t, I?ll be really disappointed. I?ve told the kids it?s their time. I think we are the same caliber as some of the top teams in this tournament. We have to play well. If we don?t beat them, then I?ll be extremely disappointed.?

Monday will consist of 36 holes while the event will wrap up Tuesday with 18 holes.

Other teams competing in the tournament include Akron, Furman, Mercer, Middle Tennessee, Francis Marion, Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana, South Florida, Virginia Commonwealth and Western Carolina.