FAIRFIELD, Ala. (WIAT) — On Sunday, the Miles College Golden Bears golf team flew to Miyoshi, Japan to compete in the University Golf Super League tournament.

The three-day tournament began Wednesday and consists of 18 holes. The Miles College athletic department spoke with the team leaders and players before they left for overseas.

“I got a call from the PGA Tour Pathway to Progression (program) and asked if we wanted to be a part of it,” head golf coach Leonard Smoot told Miles College Athletics. “Most of the time, Division I schools are chosen to be a part of it. But they asked if we wanted to be a part of it.”

According to athletic director Fred Watson, one of the important aspects of the trip is the opportunity for the team to experience another culture outside of the university.

“This is a great educational and enriching opportunity for our golfers, as well as a great opportunity to expand our brand and increase the visibility of our athletic department,” Watson said in a release. “We are grateful for the invitation.”

Smoot hopes the team will represent Miles College well during its time in Japan.

“We have an opportunity to do something special,” Smoot said. “We can be ambassadors for the institution and our athletic programs. We can compete with other countries and showcase what we have in terms of athletics here at Miles.”

Senior Phillip Darst said this opportunity would not have been possible without Smoot’s work as a coach.

“He went out of his way to give us experiences that other people couldn’t have. I don’t know of any DII school that could play in another country. He did a phenomenal job,” Darst said.

Team captain Malachai Greene explained the goals the team hopes to achieve during their time abroad.

“We talk about our expectations and representing your family, your name, yourself and Miles. We have to focus on representing all of them in a good way,” Greene said. “But we’re not just going to have a hard time. We’re going there to win.”

CBS 42’s Sherri Jackson interviewed Coach Smoot and members of the team Wednesday night about their experiences so far. You can watch it in the video player above.

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