The No. 37 Washington men's golf team is ready to tee it up for another run at the NCAA Championships this spring after coming off its two best championship performances in its history.

Coach Matt Thurmond and his team open up the spring season with the Waikoloa Intercollegiate in Hawaii this week.

The Huskies will arrive in Hawaii with high expectations after finishing last season's NCAA Championships in ninth place; for the first three days, however, the Huskies dominated play and controlled the lead. That performance not only has fans excited for the new year, but Thurmond as well.

"We always want to compete in the Pac-10 and the NCAA [Championships]," said Thurmond. "Our goal every year is to win [the Pac-10] and compete strongly in the NCAA. We're looking forward to our ninth-straight NCAA berth."

Some of the players expected to have big seasons are seniors Alex Prugh and Erik Olson, as well as junior Zach Bixler. All three have been key contributors to the team's successes in the past two years. Prugh has been a two-time Ping All-American selection and two-time All-Pac-10 selection, including his first team conference nod last year.

"Alex Prugh is one of the top players in the country," Thurmond said. "You can expect big things from him; Zach Bixler as well, he always plays well in big moments."

The Huskies are poised to make a deep run this year. They have talented veterans and gained extra depth this year with five talented newcomers.

Washington competes Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the 54-hole Waikoloa Intercollegiate. Notable opponents include No. 3 Oklahoma State and Pac-10 rivals No. 2 Stanford, No. 8 USC and No. 25 Arizona State.

Reach reporter Anthony Dion at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.