ALBANY, GA -- The Albany State football team has already worked through the drills and the spring game in preparation for another SIAC championship run in 2011.

On Friday, the Golden Rams used a different method for improvement- golf.

ASU held its ninth annual Golden Ram Golf Outing at Flint River Golf Course to raise funds for the football department. The event was organized solely by the Rams coaching staff.

“We love our program. We’re up for the challenge (next season). We believe in Albany State,” Rams running back coach Anthony Kelly said.

The coach’s aren’t the only ones- a lot of people believe in Albany State. The ninth annual event brought 54 golfers to the outing- one of the tournament’s most successful turnouts.

Kelly credits the golf showing to the program's successful 2010 season.

“Probably our biggest year…a lot of that has to do with the fact that we were National Champions. People just like to be associated with a winner,” Kelly said.

Wrapping up the Schedule with the Blazers

The week three open date on Albany State's 2011 football schedule is still technically open, but is close to being filled by the Valdosta State Blazers. Both the Blazers and Rams have an available game spot for September 17^th.

However, the finer details such as location and length of years between ASU and Valdosta are still in the negotiation phase.