Texas' Gavin Hall try's to win in his hometown
(Golfweek Photo)

The Monroe Invitational, beginning today, is one of the oldest amateur events in the United States, dating back to 1937. This year will mark the 77th year that Monroe GC has hosted the four day stroke-play event. Monroe GC, a par-70 course was designed by Donald Ross and the first round was played in 1924. When played from the championship tees the course is played at 6,898 yards.

With Monroe Invitational play beginning today here are some of the players to watch over the next four days:

Gavin Hall is coming off his junior year at Texas where for the second consecutive year he was an All Big-12 first team performer. During his junior year he was twice a medalist.

Hall's teammate Scottie Scheffler will also be in this year's Monroe Invitational field. Scheffler played in every event during his sophomore year at Texas after splashing onto the scene during his first year. As a freshman in 2015 Scheffler was the Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year and a second team PING All-American.

Sean Crocker out of USC is the highest ranked player in the field coming in as the 13th ranked amateur in the world. Crocker burst onto the scene last year as a freshman earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Pac-12 first team and PING All-American third team honors. During his sophomore year Crocker finished tied for second on two occasions.

The top mid-amateur in the field is Garret Rank, the second ranked mid-am player in the world. Rank from Elmira, Canada was the 2015 Canadian Mid-Amateur winner and also tied for second at last year's Canadian Amateur. Rank's best finish at the Monroe Invitational was a tie for third in 2014.

Jake Shuman is coming off his sophomore season at Duke and it was a productive one for the Needham, MA native. Shuman twice tied for second this past season, including finishing in a share for second at the ACC Championship. Over the last couple of summers Shuman has proved that he can shine in big events, finishing runner-up in the 2015 Canadian Amateur and after his senior year of high school he advanced to the semis of the Massachusetts Amateur.

With first round play underway today the tournament will run through Saturday's final round.