The men’s golf team has started the 2012-2013 season strong, as they try to defend their National Championship.
The Sharks (275-286-301) started their year off strong as they finished second out of 16 teams with a final score of two under par at the Brickyard Crossing Intercollegiate Invitational in Indianapolis, IN, losing to Sunshine State Conference rival Barry University (289-278-290).
The Sharks led through the first two rounds of the tournament but struggled in the third round. Junior Ben Taylor (65-68-75) also struggled on the last day of the tournament but was still able to come in second by one stroke to Barry’s Berry Jole (70-68-69). Three of his teammates Ricardo Celia, Mitch Farrer and Hunter O’Mahony all finished tied in 11th place with a score of two over par.
Head Coach Ryan Jamison said that although they did not win, a lot of good came out of the tournament because the team gained experience.
Freshman Hunter O’Mahony said that even though he struggled it was a fun first event for his intercollegiate career. It also helped him to focus on what he needs to improve for the next tournament.
The Sharks came into the tournament ranked first in the Golf World/Nike Golf Division II College Coaches’ Preseason Poll. The ranking comes off of the previous season’s national championship and the Sharks returning four out of the five starters. The team has retained three juniors, Ricardo Celia, Mitch Farrer, Ben Taylor, three sophomores, Ian Facey, Oscar Lengden, James Swan and has acquired one freshman, Hunter O’Mahony.
O’Mahony believes that the number one ranking is good for the team.
“It puts a target on our backs, motivating us to improve,” he said.
The intercollegiate golf season is one of the longest of any college sports. It begins in September and runs through May. The Sharks’ only home event this season will be when they host the Guy Harvey Invitational at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens on Oct. 8-9.
Coach Jamison said that the biggest obstacles for the team will be the length of the season and ensuring that each player improves week by week. Jamison said that the practice structure they have established will help them do this as it places the players under similar pressure they will feel during a tournament.
While the long term goal of the team is to repeat as National Champions, Jamison and O’Mahony agree that the only way they will accomplish this is by focusing on one week at a time, since May is a long way down the road.
For more information on the defending National Championship golf team visit: http://nsusharks.com/index.aspx?tab=golf&path=mgolf
