BATON ROUGE -- The LSU women’s golf team received a good nod from the NCAA Women’s Golf Committee when it was named the No. 7 seed in a field of 21 for the NCAA Central Regional golf tournament, May 8-10, in Austin, Texas.
The selection of the Lady Tigers, ranked 20th in the Golfweek performance rankings and in the National Golf Coaches Association coaches’ poll, put the Tigers in a region away from several of the higher ranked teams it had battled through much of the season.
LSU is one of 63 golf teams chosen at three regional sites for the tournament with the top eight teams after 54-holes of play advancing to the NCAA Division I Golf Championships set for later in May at the University of New Mexico.
Seeded ahead of LSU in the Central Regional, to be played on the 6,301-yard, par 72 University of Texas Golf Course are No. 2 UCLA, No. 6 Purdue, No. 9 Alabama, No. 11 Denver, No. 13 Kent State and No. 18 Pepperdine. No. 24 Texas A&M is behind LSU as the eighth seed.
The regional selection marks the fifth straight year the Lady Tigers have advanced to regional play and LSU has only missed advancing to this round twice since the regionals were first used to determine the championship field in 1993.
“We are looking forward to the challenge,” said LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen, who has advanced eight teams to the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships. “We are going to get the team’s finals out of the way and work hard to prepare for this event. We will be ready and we are very pleased with where we were placed by the committee.”
The rest of the Central Regional field starting with the ninth seed: Notre Dame, Texas, TCU, Florida State, North Carolina State, East Tennessee State, Texas Tech, Washington, Nebraska, Harvard, Texas State, Illinois State and Fairleigh-Dickinson.
The East regional, hosted by the University of Georgia, is topped by the three-time defending champions from Duke with SEC schools Florida, Georgia and Auburn the next three seeds. Southern California, the nation’s third-ranked team is the top seed in the West regional in Sacramento, Calif. Arkansas is the third seed in the West.
Only four teams have played tournament golf on the course this year in the March Betsy Rawls event and all are seeded below LSU – Notre Dame, Texas, TCU and Nebraska.
The Lady Tigers will be looking to advance to the NCAA Division I Golf Championships for the first time since 2006 and for the ninth time overall.
Central Regional
The Central regional will be played May 8-10 at the University of Texas Golf Course, Austin, Texas, hosted by the University of Texas. Conference automatic qualifiers are indicated in parenthesis next to the institution.
Teams:
1. UCLA
2. Purdue (Big Ten Conference)
3. Alabama
4. Denver (Sun Belt Conference)
5. Kent State (Mid-American Conference)
6. Pepperdine
7. LSU
8. Texas A&M
9. Notre Dame (Big East Conference)
10. Texas
11. TCU
12. Florida State
13. North Carolina State
14. East Tennessee State (Atlantic Sun Conference)
15. Texas Tech
16. Washington
17. Nebraska
18. Harvard (Ivy Group)
19. Texas State (Southland Conference)
20. Illinois State (Missouri Valley Conference)
21. Fairleigh Dickinson (Northeast Conference)
Individuals:
1. Steffi Kirchmayr, College of Charleston
2. Sara Wikstrom, Arkansas-Little Rock
3. Araceli Felgueroso, Coastal Carolina
East Regional
The East regional will be played May 8-10 at the UGA Golf Course, Athens, Georgia, hosted by the University of Georgia. Conference automatic qualifiers are indicated in parenthesis next to the institution.
Teams:
1. Duke (Atlantic Coast Conference)
2. Florida ( Southeastern Conference)
3. Georgia
4. Auburn
5. Wake Forest
6. Tennessee
7. Virginia
8. New Mexico (Mountain West Conference)
9. Vanderbilt
10. Louisville
11. South Carolina
12. Furman (Southern Conference)
13. East Carolina
14. Georgia State
15. UCF
16. Missouri
17. Indiana
18. North Carolina-Wilmington (Colonial Athletic Association)
19. Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley Conference)
20. Charleston Southern (Big South Conference)
21. Jackson State (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Individuals:
1. Dori Carter, Mississippi
2. Emma Degroot, Chattanooga
3. Paula Hurtado, Florida International
West Regional
The West regional will be played May 8-10 at the Lincoln Hills Golf Club, Lincoln, California, hosted by Sacramento State University. Conference automatic qualifiers are indicated in parenthesis next to the institution.
Teams:
1. Southern California (Pacific-10 Conference)
2. Arizona State
3. Arkansas
4. Arizona
5. Oklahoma State (Big 12 Conference)
6. California
7. Michigan State
8. Stanford
9. BYU
10. Tulsa (Conference USA)
11. North Carolina
12. Ohio State
13. San Jose State
14. Oklahoma
15. Oregon
16. UNLV
17. UC Davis
18. UC Irvine (Big West Conference)
19. Fresno State (Western Athletic Conference)
20. Oral Roberts (The Summit League)
21. Portland State (Big Sky Conference)
Individuals:
1. Mallory Blackwelder, Kentucky
2. Danielle Cvitanov, San Francisco
3. Emily Powers, Kansas
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ultimate springtime golf fitness tips for "real" golfers
By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor
For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.
Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.
Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."
So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:
• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.
Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.
• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.
Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.
• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.
• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.
• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?
Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.
• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!
• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.
• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.
So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.
• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.
The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?
• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.
• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.
National Golf Editor
For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.
Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.
Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."
So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:
• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.
Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.
• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.
Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.
• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.
• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.
• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?
Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.
• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!
• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.
• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.
So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.
• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.
The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?
• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.
• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Golf is for the Birds
Okay, so I wouldn't know a Spotted Sandpiper (artitis macularia) from a Roseate Spoonbill (Andea alba). However, as a traveling golfer (linkus crazius I know an exciting golf destination when I find one. Named for the noted 19th century naturist and bird lover, John James Audubon, the Audubon Golf Trail of Louisiana combines excellent, nature-friendly courses with pocketbook-friendly green fees - a delightful one-two punch. After a recent golf trip there, I may have discovered my inner ornithologist. Was that a Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) that just watched me (sandtrapus ineptus) take three shots to get out of that bunker?
Black Bear
As the newest member of the Trail, Black Bear is the perfect place to start your Louisiana golf expedition. A short 45-minute flight from Houston to nearby Monroe and a quick drive east on Interstate 20 with a turnoff at Delhi finds you out in the serene delta of the mighty Mississippi - 30 miles due east.
Built near the 3,000-acre reservoir which is the centerpiece of the Poverty Point State Park, Black Bear is a treasure trove of natural golfing riches as the Bechtol Russell design winds around two verdant rimmed creeks, the Bogzag and Cypress. Named for an actual bear that lives near the tricky 15th green, the brand spanking new 18 already has an air of maturity to it. Actually, the course is well-named because many of the holes are ferocious, especially the par-3s. My favorite is the 188-yard par-3 6th which requires a well-struck mid-iron to hold the slanted, narrow green. With a steep bunker right and the winding creek left, a perfect shot is required or Black Bear takes a bite out of your score. This is a fine newcomer in a mesmerizing locale. For reasonable lodging, check out the comfortable lake cabins that are actually built out over the water on stilted legs like those of an American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorlynchos).
For more details, visit www.blackbear-golf.com; cost: $37 weekdays, $49 weekends.
Ever wonder where those migratory birds flying south for the winter head? Many set down and winter happily in the wetlands west of the Mississippi River in northern Louisiana. Warm weather, lush rolling hills with scores of lakes, reservoirs, creeks, ponds, and swamps - this is paradise for our fowl-feathered friends. For we non-avian types, the land is also perfect for golf. The Audubon Golf Trail teems with wonderful locales to tee it up. Let's take a look at a few.
As the newest member of the Trail, Black Bear is the perfect place to start your Louisiana golf expedition. A short 45-minute flight from Houston to nearby Monroe and a quick drive east on Interstate 20 with a turnoff at Delhi finds you out in the serene delta of the mighty Mississippi - 30 miles due east.
Built near the 3,000-acre reservoir which is the centerpiece of the Poverty Point State Park, Black Bear is a treasure trove of natural golfing riches as the Bechtol Russell design winds around two verdant rimmed creeks, the Bogzag and Cypress. Named for an actual bear that lives near the tricky 15th green, the brand spanking new 18 already has an air of maturity to it. Actually, the course is well-named because many of the holes are ferocious, especially the par-3s. My favorite is the 188-yard par-3 6th which requires a well-struck mid-iron to hold the slanted, narrow green. With a steep bunker right and the winding creek left, a perfect shot is required or Black Bear takes a bite out of your score. This is a fine newcomer in a mesmerizing locale. For reasonable lodging, check out the comfortable lake cabins that are actually built out over the water on stilted legs like those of an American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorlynchos).
For more details, visit www.blackbear-golf.com; cost: $37 weekdays, $49 weekends.
Calvert Crossing
One of the great aspects to the Trail is that you're never more than two hours from the next course. Just down the road an hour due west as the Barred owl (Strix varia) flies is stately Calvert Crossing in Calhoun. Built on over 400 acres and with almost every hole lined with tall pines and grand white oaks, Calvert Crossing is golf and nature coexisting in wonderful harmony. There are thousands of potential spots for birds to nest happily in and around the well-groomed fairways and greens.
Throughout the 6,822-yard design, water comes into play on 10 holes so attention must be paid before simply bombing away with your driver. Throttle it down a bit and enjoy the lush surroundings of a superlative golfing playground. Afterwards, savor your round with a drink in Mulligan's - the friendly bar in the clubhouse. The local natives (Louisiana friendilo) are convivial.
For details, visit www.calvertgolf.com; cost: $55 weekdays, $67 weekends.
One of the great aspects to the Trail is that you're never more than two hours from the next course. Just down the road an hour due west as the Barred owl (Strix varia) flies is stately Calvert Crossing in Calhoun. Built on over 400 acres and with almost every hole lined with tall pines and grand white oaks, Calvert Crossing is golf and nature coexisting in wonderful harmony. There are thousands of potential spots for birds to nest happily in and around the well-groomed fairways and greens.
Throughout the 6,822-yard design, water comes into play on 10 holes so attention must be paid before simply bombing away with your driver. Throttle it down a bit and enjoy the lush surroundings of a superlative golfing playground. Afterwards, savor your round with a drink in Mulligan's - the friendly bar in the clubhouse. The local natives (Louisiana friendilo) are convivial.
For details, visit www.calvertgolf.com; cost: $55 weekdays, $67 weekends.
Olde Oaks
Two hours west of Calhoun on Interstate 20 takes us to bustling Shreveport and Olde Oaks Golf Club - a marvelous design by homegrown PGA star Hal Sutton. With 27 wildlife-friendly holes spread over 340 acres of gently rolling terrain, Olde Oaks is one of the great golfing values in the country. You'll find few courses this immaculate in the $40-$50 green fee range.
Each nine is a world onto itself. The Meadow Nine, probably the most stalwart of the three, covers the lowlands and requires strategic thinking to be played well. However, "what you see is what you get" and well-placed drives are rewarded with easier approaches to the devious greens.
The Oak Nine is the most visually appealing of the three layouts as the holes flow through swaths of majestic oaks in full foliage and singing birds providing the background music. The two par-5s on this side, the 1st and 6th, are fabulous and require you to know your golfing limitations before challenging the water hazards (golfballus interruptus) protecting par.
The Cypress Nine is the most open side and allows you to loosen your collared shirt and air it out a bit as the holes are routed through a neighborhood of stately homes so grand you wonder if Bruce Wayne lives somewhere close by. Don't worry about hitting any of these estates with your wild slice or hook as they're set well back from the course. Olde Oaks is a gem.
For details, visit www.oldeoaksgolf.com; cost: $44 weekdays, $49 weekends.
Two hours west of Calhoun on Interstate 20 takes us to bustling Shreveport and Olde Oaks Golf Club - a marvelous design by homegrown PGA star Hal Sutton. With 27 wildlife-friendly holes spread over 340 acres of gently rolling terrain, Olde Oaks is one of the great golfing values in the country. You'll find few courses this immaculate in the $40-$50 green fee range.
Each nine is a world onto itself. The Meadow Nine, probably the most stalwart of the three, covers the lowlands and requires strategic thinking to be played well. However, "what you see is what you get" and well-placed drives are rewarded with easier approaches to the devious greens.
The Oak Nine is the most visually appealing of the three layouts as the holes flow through swaths of majestic oaks in full foliage and singing birds providing the background music. The two par-5s on this side, the 1st and 6th, are fabulous and require you to know your golfing limitations before challenging the water hazards (golfballus interruptus) protecting par.
The Cypress Nine is the most open side and allows you to loosen your collared shirt and air it out a bit as the holes are routed through a neighborhood of stately homes so grand you wonder if Bruce Wayne lives somewhere close by. Don't worry about hitting any of these estates with your wild slice or hook as they're set well back from the course. Olde Oaks is a gem.
For details, visit www.oldeoaksgolf.com; cost: $44 weekdays, $49 weekends.
Cypress Bend Golf Resort & Conference Center
Two hours drive south from Shreveport along the Louisiana-Texas border leads you to scenic Cypress Bend on vast Toledo Bend Lake - a bass-fishing Mecca that now is a full-on golf destination as well. If you can't chill out there in the elegant comfy rooms and peaceful lakefront vistas severe medication is your only answer.
The golf course features 10 holes along the lakefront and six times you hit shots over inlets and coves just waiting to add your ball to a watery grave. The par-3 17th of 128 yards plays to a green perched on the edge of the lake and is as pretty a golf hole as you'll find anywhere. The finisher - a stout par-4 of 341 yards - plays much longer as it's uphill. A par there deserves a drink in the nearby resort lounge complete with a beguiling view back over the course and lake. Cypress Bend certainly has its charms.
For more information, visit www.cypressbend.com; cost: $55 weekdays, $70 weekend.
Two hours drive south from Shreveport along the Louisiana-Texas border leads you to scenic Cypress Bend on vast Toledo Bend Lake - a bass-fishing Mecca that now is a full-on golf destination as well. If you can't chill out there in the elegant comfy rooms and peaceful lakefront vistas severe medication is your only answer.
The golf course features 10 holes along the lakefront and six times you hit shots over inlets and coves just waiting to add your ball to a watery grave. The par-3 17th of 128 yards plays to a green perched on the edge of the lake and is as pretty a golf hole as you'll find anywhere. The finisher - a stout par-4 of 341 yards - plays much longer as it's uphill. A par there deserves a drink in the nearby resort lounge complete with a beguiling view back over the course and lake. Cypress Bend certainly has its charms.
For more information, visit www.cypressbend.com; cost: $55 weekdays, $70 weekend.
Gray Plantation
As if saving the best for last, my final round was at Gray Plantation in Lake Charles. Named by Golf Digest in the top-100 greatest public courses as well as GOLF Magazine's "top-three among 50 best U.S. courses for $50 or less," Gray Plantation is a real find for those seeking first-class golf at municipal prices.
Hurricane Rita - a Category 5 storm - roared through Lake Charles in 2005 and the course lost hundreds of towering pines which bordered many of the holes. Nonetheless, the Rocky Roquemore design still has all the challenge you want with 94 bunkers, wetlands, and two par-3s with island greens. As if that all wasn't testing enough, the wind gusts off the adjacent waterway turn several approach shots into mini-torture tests.
The final hole is a brutish par-4 of 439 yards that plays directly up to the elegant clubhouse. Two stout hits are necessary to find a putting surface surrounded by a series of evil bunkers. It's a great end to an excellent layout. After the round, I sat out on the wide veranda and enjoyed the club's crawfish boil with the cheerful locals which made me yearn to trace my family tree for Cajun roots.
For more information, visit www.graywoodllc.com; $50 weekdays, $65 weekends.
As if saving the best for last, my final round was at Gray Plantation in Lake Charles. Named by Golf Digest in the top-100 greatest public courses as well as GOLF Magazine's "top-three among 50 best U.S. courses for $50 or less," Gray Plantation is a real find for those seeking first-class golf at municipal prices.
Hurricane Rita - a Category 5 storm - roared through Lake Charles in 2005 and the course lost hundreds of towering pines which bordered many of the holes. Nonetheless, the Rocky Roquemore design still has all the challenge you want with 94 bunkers, wetlands, and two par-3s with island greens. As if that all wasn't testing enough, the wind gusts off the adjacent waterway turn several approach shots into mini-torture tests.
The final hole is a brutish par-4 of 439 yards that plays directly up to the elegant clubhouse. Two stout hits are necessary to find a putting surface surrounded by a series of evil bunkers. It's a great end to an excellent layout. After the round, I sat out on the wide veranda and enjoyed the club's crawfish boil with the cheerful locals which made me yearn to trace my family tree for Cajun roots.
For more information, visit www.graywoodllc.com; $50 weekdays, $65 weekends.
Summing Up . . .
Both bird- and golfer-friendly, the Audubon Golf Trail has another seven courses I didn't play with similar low green fees and high-caliber wildlife. In addition to great golf perhaps you'll spot a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) or even a Wilson's Plover (Charadrius Wilsonia).
That prospect makes me one happy golfer (smilio hackeris).
For more information about Louisiana's Audubon Golf Trail, visit www.AudubonTrail.com or call 1-866-AGT-IN-LA.
David Wood - writer, corporate speaker, and humorist - is the author of the soon-to-be published book "Around the World in Eighty Rounds." With several appearances on "Late Night with David Letterman," Wood combines humor with his love for golf and adventurous travel. For comments or inquiries on having him speak to your group, contact David at David@DavidWoodSpeaking.com. His website address is www.DavidWoodSpeaking.com.
Both bird- and golfer-friendly, the Audubon Golf Trail has another seven courses I didn't play with similar low green fees and high-caliber wildlife. In addition to great golf perhaps you'll spot a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) or even a Wilson's Plover (Charadrius Wilsonia).
That prospect makes me one happy golfer (smilio hackeris).
For more information about Louisiana's Audubon Golf Trail, visit www.AudubonTrail.com or call 1-866-AGT-IN-LA.
Monday, March 17, 2008
FSU holds off rally by LSU women's golf
The Lady Tigers couldn’t quite make up a 12-stroke deficit to Florida State on Sunday at the LSU-Cleveland Golf Classic, but they nipped right at their heels for several minutes midway through the final nine holes, before settling for a second-place finish, six shots behind the Seminoles, who went wire-to-wire to win their fourth LSU title.
The Lady Tigers shot the second-best round of the tournament at two-over 290 on the final day to finish at 26-over 890. Florida State shot a 298 to win with a three-day total of 20-over par 880.
The Lady Tigers finished in front of ninth-ranked Wake Forest (3rd at 894), 11th-ranked Alabama (5th at 897), 14th-ranked Georgia (6th at 898) and 22nd-ranked Virginia (7th at 905).
LSU senior Rebecca Kuhn and freshman Megan McChrystal shot one-under par 71s. Senior Alexis Rather had an even par 72 and junior Caroline Martens a 76. Although not part of the team competition, freshman Lindy LaBauve shot a final round of two-under par 70.
“It was so obvious the first few days that we were tight,” LSU coach Karen Bahnsen said. “They were feeling the pressure of playing at home. The first two days the course played as long as it possibly could the first two days, but (Sunday) the wind was helping the players. I could tell this morning that they were relaxed and the way we finished, I could tell we are heading in the right direction.”
Florida’s Caroline Westrup won the individual competition, backing up her Saturday 68 with a Sunday 67 for an eight-under 208 (73-68-67), the second lowest LSU-Cleveland Classic winning total at the University Club. Lauren Doughtie of North Carolina State was second at four-under 212 (72-69-71).
LSU-Cleveland Golf Classic
The University Club
Final Team Results (288-864)
1. Florida State 293-294-297 – 884 +20; 2. LSU 300-300-290 – 890 +26; 3. Wake Forest 300-300-294 – 894 +30; 4. North Carolina State 303-298-295 – 896 +32; 5. Alabama 302-297-298 – 897 +33; 6. Georgia 302-299-297 – 898 +34; 7. Virginia 309-307-289 – 905 +41; 8. Louisville 301-301-304 – 906 +42; 8. North Carolina 302-301-303 – 606 +42; 10. South Carolina 306-306-302 – 914 +50; 10. Central Florida 302-304-308 – 914 +50; 12. Charleston 309-305-303 – 917 +53; 13. Augusta State 317-304-302 – 923 +59; 14. Kentucky 308-312-305 – 925 +61; 15. Mississippi State 315-311-302 – 928 +64; 16. North Carolina Wilmington 313-313-313 – 939 +75; 17. Mississippi 316-317-309 – 942 +78.
Individual Top 20 (Par 72-216)
1. Caroline Westrup, Florida State, 73-68-67 – 208 -8; 2. Lauren Doughtie, North Carolina State, 72-69-71 – 212 -4; 3. Rebecca Kuhn, LSU, 71-73-71 – 215 -1; 4. Stephanie Connelly, Central Florida, 73-70-73 – 216 E; 5. Krystle Caithness, Georgia, 75-72-72 – 219 +3; 5. Benedicte Toumpsin, South Carolina, 73-73-73 – 219 +3; 7. Megan McChrystal, LSU, 76-74-71 – 221 +5; 8. Rhea Nair, Alabama, 75-72-75 – 222 +6; 8. Steffi Kirchmayr, Charleston, 75-74-73 – 222 +6; 8. Ann Laney, North Carolina, 74-74-74 – 222 +6; 11. Laura Crawford, Wake Forest, 70-78-75 – 223 +7; 11. Lene Krog, Virginia, 77-74-72 – 223 +7; 11. Joy Kim, Virginia, 76-72-75 – 223 +7; 11. Whitney Wright, Florida State, 70-75-78 – 223 +7; 11. Dori Carter, Mississippi, 76-74-73 – 223 +7; 11. Garrett Phillips, Georgia, 73-74-76 – 223 +7; 11. Joanna Klatten, Charleston, 77-74-72 – 223 +7; 18. Courtney Harter, Alabama, 75-77-72 – 224 +8; 18. Alexis Rather, LSU, 76-76-72 – 224 8; 18. Sara-Maude Juneau, Louisville, 76-75-73 – 224 +8.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Taking the Water Route to Work
When it comes time to go to work, Cypress Bend head professional Ken Rams doesn't turn on the radio or television for the local traffic slowdowns. He instead checks for the speed and direction of the wind and the temperature in remote Many, a town located on the west side of the liquid line that separates
Rams lives right next to the water in
"When the weather is suitable, it takes me about five minutes to get across the lake by boat," Rams said. "If I drove my truck it would take 35-40 minutes to travel the 26 miles one way."
Rams anchors his boat in the high reeds of the lake's inlet by the 10th fairway of the course, and either walks the 300 yards uphill to the clubhouse or takes a cart left for him by staff. He has a long, thick plank hidden in among the lily pads and cypress trees so when he steps off his boat he won't get his shoes wet.
Rams' use of a boat to get to work is a reflection of the slower pace taken by most residents of this part of the world. "When I came down here from
This is Rams' first job at a golf course; he's ascended from volunteer to paid marshal to cart attendant to assistant pro to head pro in his 10 years at Cypress Bend.
"I enjoy fishing, so we came down here two to three times every year," Rams said. "I would go fishing and my wife would visit with her parents. During those years of vacationing on Toledo Bend my wife and I decided that this would be a good place to retire. About 10 years ago, my mother-in-law came down with cancer and she soon passed away. My father-in -law willed the house (in Hemphill) to me and my wife since we enjoyed it so much down here."
There have been a few times that Rams' run across the lake has been more adventurous than others. He easily remembers when he was on the lake and things turned ugly, as high winds, rain and waves almost kept him from getting back to
"The first half of the trip I was protected by the shore, but when I got to the open water it was like an ocean," Rams said. "There must have been 7-foot waves, and there was one wave that I got on top of and went down the other side and I thought I was going under. Water came up over the bow of the boat, and it scared the hell out me. I don't think that I have ever been that scared in a boat before. After that wave I decided to get up on top of the next one and ride it across the lake. I finally made it, but I was wet and shaken up little. Needless to say I had a newfound respect for this lake."
Since then there have been several other times that storms have come in after Rams had taken his boat to work, and instead he just drove the company vehicle home. "I have had so many good times coming across it's hard to pick just one," Rams said. "I do remember when the Bassmasters were in the area. Where they launch, their boats cross my path going to work, so I had to stop and wait for these boats racing across the lake to get out of my way. Also I have stopped numerous times to do a little fishing before I get to work. Just the other day I was fishing and I saw two bald eagles flying overhead."
Rams is currently an apprentice working towards his PGA membership. Cypress Bend's golf course has three full-time employees, and during the summer Rams usually hires two or three more outside attendants. Even then he works about four and a half days a week and plays in the course's Sunday afternoon scramble.
"We do approximately 20,000 rounds a year at Cypress Bend," Rams said. "I've been here 10 years, and the trend has leveled out the past several years. When we first opened we did 30,000 rounds, but we were new and people wanted to play the new course. We do alright for what we are trying to do."
Steve Habel is an Austin, Texas-based journalist. Since 1990, he has traveled around the globe covering news, business and sports assignments for various news bureaus, newspapers, magazines and websites. He also contributes to Business District magazine in
Golf is for the Birds
Okay, so I wouldn't know a Spotted Sandpiper (artitis macularia) from a Roseate Spoonbill (Andea alba). However, as a traveling golfer (linkus crazius I know an exciting golf destination when I find one. Named for the noted 19th century naturist and bird lover, John James Audubon, the Audubon Golf Trail of Louisiana combines excellent, nature-friendly courses with pocketbook-friendly green fees - a delightful one-two punch. After a recent golf trip there, I may have discovered my inner ornithologist. Was that a Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) that just watched me (sandtrapus ineptus) take three shots to get out of that bunker?
Ever wonder where those migratory birds flying south for the winter head? Many set down and winter happily in the wetlands west of the Mississippi River in northern
Black Bear
As the newest member of the Trail, Black Bear is the perfect place to start your
Built near the 3,000-acre reservoir which is the centerpiece of the
For more details, visit www.blackbear-golf.com; cost: $37 weekdays, $49 weekends.
Calvert Crossing
One of the great aspects to the Trail is that you're never more than two hours from the next course. Just down the road an hour due west as the Barred owl (Strix varia) flies is stately Calvert Crossing in Calhoun. Built on over 400 acres and with almost every hole lined with tall pines and grand white oaks, Calvert Crossing is golf and nature coexisting in wonderful harmony. There are thousands of potential spots for birds to nest happily in and around the well-groomed fairways and greens.
Throughout the 6,822-yard design, water comes into play on 10 holes so attention must be paid before simply bombing away with your driver. Throttle it down a bit and enjoy the lush surroundings of a superlative golfing playground. Afterwards, savor your round with a drink in Mulligan's - the friendly bar in the clubhouse. The local natives (
For details, visit www.calvertgolf.com; cost: $55 weekdays, $67 weekends.
Olde Oaks
Two hours west of Calhoun on Interstate 20 takes us to bustling
Each nine is a world onto itself. The Meadow Nine, probably the most stalwart of the three, covers the lowlands and requires strategic thinking to be played well. However, "what you see is what you get" and well-placed drives are rewarded with easier approaches to the devious greens.
The Oak Nine is the most visually appealing of the three layouts as the holes flow through swaths of majestic oaks in full foliage and singing birds providing the background music. The two par-5s on this side, the 1st and 6th, are fabulous and require you to know your golfing limitations before challenging the water hazards (golfballus interruptus) protecting par.
The Cypress Nine is the most open side and allows you to loosen your collared shirt and air it out a bit as the holes are routed through a neighborhood of stately homes so grand you wonder if Bruce Wayne lives somewhere close by. Don't worry about hitting any of these estates with your wild slice or hook as they're set well back from the course. Olde Oaks is a gem.
For details, visit www.oldeoaksgolf.com; cost: $44 weekdays, $49 weekends.
Two hours drive south from
The golf course features 10 holes along the lakefront and six times you hit shots over inlets and coves just waiting to add your ball to a watery grave. The par-3 17th of 128 yards plays to a green perched on the edge of the lake and is as pretty a golf hole as you'll find anywhere. The finisher - a stout par-4 of 341 yards - plays much longer as it's uphill. A par there deserves a drink in the nearby resort lounge complete with a beguiling view back over the course and lake. Cypress Bend certainly has its charms.
For more information, visit www.cypressbend.com; cost: $55 weekdays, $70 weekend.
Gray Plantation
As if saving the best for last, my final round was at Gray Plantation in
Hurricane Rita - a Category 5 storm - roared through
The final hole is a brutish par-4 of 439 yards that plays directly up to the elegant clubhouse. Two stout hits are necessary to find a putting surface surrounded by a series of evil bunkers. It's a great end to an excellent layout. After the round, I sat out on the wide veranda and enjoyed the club's crawfish boil with the cheerful locals which made me yearn to trace my family tree for Cajun roots.
For more information, visit www.graywoodllc.com; $50 weekdays, $65 weekends.
Summing Up . . .
Both bird- and golfer-friendly, the Audubon Golf Trail has another seven courses I didn't play with similar low green fees and high-caliber wildlife. In addition to great golf perhaps you'll spot a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) or even a
That prospect makes me one happy golfer (smilio hackeris).
For more information about
David Wood - writer, corporate speaker, and humorist - is the author of the soon-to-be published book "Around the World in Eighty Rounds." With several appearances on "Late Night with David Letterman," Wood combines humor with his love for golf and adventurous travel. For comments or inquiries on having him speak to your group, contact David at David@DavidWoodSpeaking.com. His website address is www.DavidWoodSpeaking.com.
De Soysa, Moston Named Golfers of the Week
De Soysa, a junior from Columbo, Sri Lanka (Pendleton Academy), won the individual medalist title at the eighth annual Rice Intercollegiate with a three-round total of 217 (74-71-72), one stroke ahead of two golfers. De Soysa bested 62 other competitors in the 12-team event and shot a final round even par 72 to come from behind to win. De Soysa had to record a sand save on his final hole of the third round to win the individual honor. It was his first career collegiate win, surpassing his previous best finish of fourth place at the 2006 Hal Sutton Intercollegiate.
Moston, a junior from Belmont, Calif. (Notre Dame HS), tied for second at the Qdoba Invitational hosted by the University of Miami with a four-over par 220 (74-75-71). Her final round 71 matched the low 18-hole total for the tournament. Moston finished second at the tournament for the second year in a row, and it was her second top-five finish this year as she was third at the Ron Moore Invitational during the fall.
The other men’s nomination was
The other women's nomination was
2008 Senior Open Can Boast Of Volunteers From All 50 States
By David Shefter, USGA
Far Hills, N.J. - Ron Diltz and Mike Kelly first became acquainted when their sons began playing high school football in Anchorage, Alaska. They quickly discovered a mutual love for outdoor activities – hunting, fishing and even golf – and their friendship soon extended beyond Friday night games.
Even after Kelly moved back to his native
This summer, the get-together will take place a little closer to Kelly’s backyard in
“I sucked him in,” said Kelly. “I only live a couple of miles from [The Broadmoor], so it seemed like the right thing to do.”
Diltz will be one of many individuals making a long trek to Colorado Springs this July to be part of the 3,000-plus volunteer force for the Senior Open (July 31-Aug. 3). In fact, this year’s championship will have volunteers from all 50 states. It’s the first time that a volunteer from every state has participated in the same championship.
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| The USGA would have a difficult time conducting championships without volunteers' participation. (John Mummert/USGA) |
The participation from near and far even had the management company that handles the U.S. Senior Open for the USGA pleasantly surprised.
“It’s very unusual [to have all 50 states represented],” said Jeff Yeager, the volunteer manager for Bruno Event Team. “I would say 40 to 45 states [is normal], but to get over the 45 mark, it’s something of a unique status.”
Part of the lure is this year’s site. The Broadmoor is a world-class resort located in an area where there are plenty of alternative activities when people are not on-site working. Yeager said The Broadmoor, which attracts guests from throughout the world, also solicited volunteers through various means of communication.
“We had started a waiting list of about 100 volunteers, but after looking at a few numbers, we have almost added all 100 of those [people] from our waiting list,” said Yeager. “So it’s been really terrific.”
Some people love being a part of the championship so much that they keep coming back.
“We’ve made the Senior Open part of our summer vacations so we can get out and see new parts of the country,” said Cato, who is retired. “This will be our first visit to
In 2005, the two served on the transportation committee. Last year, they were walking scorers. Cato went with Jim Thorpe and R.W. Eaks in the final round. In ’05, Cato said he drove Gil Morgan, Fuzzy Zoeller and Thorpe. He also got to meet Tom Watson. This year, they will be on-course marshals, just like in 2006 at Prairie Dunes in
“Especially in transportation, you get to meet a lot of [contestants] because you are right there with them,” said Cato. “When you are working out on the course, you see them but you don’t necessarily get to talk with them.
“But we’ve enjoyed it and it’s been a good experience. We haven’t decided if we are going to do it next year [at Crooked Stick] or not. We’ll probably make that decision after this year’s tournament.”
Of course, having the championship in a smaller market like
The retired Kelly moved back to
“You can get lost in places like
Just seeing a major golf event in person is a big opportunity for Diltz.
Diltz admitted that his outdoor activities of choice are hunting and fishing. But he does enjoy an occasional round of golf, including an indoor version played on a simulator.
“I’m just a weekend hacker,” said Diltz, a sales manager for an office supply company in
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Centenary Ladies Ladies Improve in Round Two, but Fall Short
SHREVEPORT – The Centenary (334-326, 660) women’s golf team cut eight strokes off of its score on Sunday, but it still came up short in the Centenary College Ladies Invitational final round. The Ladies, who finished in second, were just six strokes behind the winner, North Dakota State (330-324), who shot a two-round score of 654.
Leading the way for Centenary was sophomore Jessica Garza (87-76, 163) and senior Chloe Mims (79-84, 163), who tied for fourth. The duo finished just eight strokes behind Andrea Zwartynski (78-77) of Houston Baptist, who won with a 155.
Ladies’ sophomore Tracy Williams (85-80, 165) also improved on her second-day round, as she completed the tournament in eighth place. Rounding out the team scores for Centenary was sophomore Leigh Newton (83-86, 169), who finished in 11th.
Playing unattached for Centenary was sophomore Bethany Cox (87-93), who finished in 19th place after shooting a 180.
The next action for Centenary will be on March 10-11 at the Lamar and Sam Houston State Invitational.
Leading the way for Centenary was sophomore Jessica Garza (87-76, 163) and senior Chloe Mims (79-84, 163), who tied for fourth. The duo finished just eight strokes behind Andrea Zwartynski (78-77) of Houston Baptist, who won with a 155.
Ladies’ sophomore Tracy Williams (85-80, 165) also improved on her second-day round, as she completed the tournament in eighth place. Rounding out the team scores for Centenary was sophomore Leigh Newton (83-86, 169), who finished in 11th.
Playing unattached for Centenary was sophomore Bethany Cox (87-93), who finished in 19th place after shooting a 180.
The next action for Centenary will be on March 10-11 at the Lamar and Sam Houston State Invitational.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Duncan readies for another season
Armed with the experience three seasons on the LPGA Tour offers, Meredith Duncan is looking to make a splash this time around.
Today the “relaxed” former LSU golfer kicks off the 2008 LPGA season at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay in Kahuku, Hawaii. Duncan hopes the lessons learned from the trials of struggling to make cuts and money pay off the fourth go-round.
“I’ve realized you don’t have to be perfect,” Duncan said. “Golf is not a game of perfect. Last year, I just realized you can make a lot of pars and still make a lot of money out here. I’m going to try to put that in play.”
Duncan’s best finish on tour is a tie for 10th at the Long Drugs Challenge in 2006. After earning just $15,000 in her first try on Tour (2004), she has earned more than $77,000 in the past two seasons.
However, she has been unable to crack the top 90 in any season. That is the LPGA’s threshold for automatically earning playing privileges for the next season.
“My short-term goal is to get into the Kraft Nabisco (Championship),” Duncan said. “We have four events. My long-term goal is to finish in the top 70 so I can get in next year’s Kraft.
“I don’t want to shoot for making cuts and the bare minimum.”
The top 30 money winners from the 2008 LPGA Tour through March 30 will qualify for the Kraft Nabisco Championship (Apr. 3-6). The 2001 U.S. Women’s Amateur
champion enjoyed her best season on Tour in 2006, when she made six of 22 cuts and cashed in for $42,835. However, Duncan fared well last year despite having non-exempt status. She was only able to get in 14 events, but made five cuts and earned more than $34,000.
“The biggest improvement from '04 is that I don’t make as many big numbers,” Duncan said. “It really throws you off for the round. I’m a lot more patient. I’m just a lot more relaxed.”
Duncan earned her way back to the Tour this season with a ninth-place effort at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament and hopes to take advance of her fully-exempt status this season.
“I’m glad I don’t have to do Monday qualifiers -- really glad,” Duncan said. “There is so much that goes into that.
“I can play in more Monday Pro-Ams. I can take Monday off if I want. I can stay overnight on Sunday and fly in Monday if I want or, if I miss the cut the week before, I don’t have to fly in early.”
Duncan goes to battle with caddie Michelle Simpson, who looped for the final five events last season. As has been customary, Duncan’s mother, Debbie, is in Hawaii and will accompany her daughter to several events this season.
Today the “relaxed” former LSU golfer kicks off the 2008 LPGA season at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay in Kahuku, Hawaii. Duncan hopes the lessons learned from the trials of struggling to make cuts and money pay off the fourth go-round.
“I’ve realized you don’t have to be perfect,” Duncan said. “Golf is not a game of perfect. Last year, I just realized you can make a lot of pars and still make a lot of money out here. I’m going to try to put that in play.”
Duncan’s best finish on tour is a tie for 10th at the Long Drugs Challenge in 2006. After earning just $15,000 in her first try on Tour (2004), she has earned more than $77,000 in the past two seasons.
However, she has been unable to crack the top 90 in any season. That is the LPGA’s threshold for automatically earning playing privileges for the next season.
“My short-term goal is to get into the Kraft Nabisco (Championship),” Duncan said. “We have four events. My long-term goal is to finish in the top 70 so I can get in next year’s Kraft.
“I don’t want to shoot for making cuts and the bare minimum.”
The top 30 money winners from the 2008 LPGA Tour through March 30 will qualify for the Kraft Nabisco Championship (Apr. 3-6). The 2001 U.S. Women’s Amateur
champion enjoyed her best season on Tour in 2006, when she made six of 22 cuts and cashed in for $42,835. However, Duncan fared well last year despite having non-exempt status. She was only able to get in 14 events, but made five cuts and earned more than $34,000.
“The biggest improvement from '04 is that I don’t make as many big numbers,” Duncan said. “It really throws you off for the round. I’m a lot more patient. I’m just a lot more relaxed.”
Duncan earned her way back to the Tour this season with a ninth-place effort at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament and hopes to take advance of her fully-exempt status this season.
“I’m glad I don’t have to do Monday qualifiers -- really glad,” Duncan said. “There is so much that goes into that.
“I can play in more Monday Pro-Ams. I can take Monday off if I want. I can stay overnight on Sunday and fly in Monday if I want or, if I miss the cut the week before, I don’t have to fly in early.”
Duncan goes to battle with caddie Michelle Simpson, who looped for the final five events last season. As has been customary, Duncan’s mother, Debbie, is in Hawaii and will accompany her daughter to several events this season.
ULM Men’s Golf Opens Spring Season with Second Place Finish at Thunderbird Classic
ST. GEORGE, Utah—ULM rallied on the back nine but came up two strokes short of catching Kentucky in the final round of the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Classic at the Sun Brook Golf Course Tuesday afternoon.
The Warhawks finished second in the talent filled field of 18 teams in the opening tournament of the spring season. The Wildcats led by as many as eight strokes, but outstanding back nine performances by Nathan McMullen and Eddy Koracevic pulled ULM within just two strokes at the end.
McMullen shot a one-over 73 on Tuesday finishing in third place after holding the lead following the opening round. Koracevic fired a 68 propelling him into a tie for fourth place after entering the round tied for 15th. David McKendrick gave the Warhawks three players in the top 10 finishing tied for eighth after shooting a 73 today.
Parker Dire finished tied for 43rd after carding an even-par 72 and Will Ticheli rounded out the field for the Warhawks with an 81.
Denver’s Scott Tashie took individual medalist honors winning in a playoff over Rice’s Michael Buttacavoli. McMullen finished just one stroke behind the leaders.
The finish is the Warhawks second straight near the top of the standings. In the final event of the fall, ULM finished fourth at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate and McKendrick won the individual title.
Team Results:
1. Kentucky 282-280—562, 2. ULM 278-286—564, 3. Denver 287-283—570, 4. Oral Roberts 290-284—574, 5. Utah 290-285-575, 6. Rice 294-282—576, 7. UC Riverside 287-290—577, 8. Campbell 2897-291—578, 9. BYU 293-286—579, 10. Southern Utah 290-291—581, 11. UMKC 297-289—586, 12. Weber State 298-299—597, 13. Grand Canyon State 314-286—600, 14. Dixie State CC 295-306—604, 15. Utah Valley State 314-294—608, 16. Utah State 309-308—617, 17. Idaho State 307-312—619, 18. Centenary 312-314--626
Individual Results:
1. Scott Tashie (Denver) 69-68—137, 2. Michael Buttacavoli (Rice) 70-67—137, 3. Nathan McMullen (ULM) 65-73—138, T4. Eddy Koracevic (ULM) 71-68—139, T4. Fredric Sunberg (Campbell) 68-71—139, T4. Scott Stiles (Oral Roberts) 70-69—139, T4. Andrew Cortez (UC Riverside) 70-69--139
ULM Individuals:
3. Nathan McMullen 65-73—138, T4. Eddy Koracevic 71-68—139, T8. David McKendrick 67-73—140, T43. Parker Dire 75-72—147, T111. Will Ticheli 83-81—164
Men's Golf Opens Spring Sixth at Gator; Loupe Fourth
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The spring season is now officially underway for the LSU men’s golf team, and freshman Andrew Loupe has gotten off to a fast start after earning his first career Top 10 finish at the Gator Invitational at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
After taking the lead with rounds of 2-under 68 and 5-under 65 on Saturday, Loupe posted a 2-over par 72 in Sunday’s final round to finish the championship in a tie for fourth at 5-under 205.
Loupe, whose previous best finish in a tournament this season was a tie for 11th place in both the Squire Creek Invitational and Bridgestone Collegiate Championship during the fall, fired the best tournament score by a Tiger this season and the lowest of his young career.
Junior Jarrod Barsamian matched Loupe’s effort with a 2-over 72 of his own in the final round to lead the Tigers into a tie for sixth place in the team standings with a 54-hole score of 13-over 853, including an 11-over 291 on Sunday. Barsamian was the Tigers’ No. 2 performer on the weekend as he tied for 28th place at 5-over 215.
Sophomore Bryant Lach carded a 3-over 73 on Sunday to wrap up the championship in a tie for 38th at 7-over 217, while senior Brian Noonan was one stroke back in a tie for 44th at 8-over 218 and freshman John Peterson finished in a tie for 57th at 12-over 222 in his spring debut.
Florida ran away with the team title for the fifth year in a row as three Gators blistered the course with Top 10 finishes en route to firing a 54-hole team score of 20-under 820 for the weekend.
The Florida State Seminoles finished a distant second at 8-under 832. Mississippi State posted a solid 2-over 842 to take third place, while UAB was two strokes back in fourth at 4-over 844 and South Alabama rounded out the top five after recording a three-round total of 11-over 851. LSU finished in a tie with nationally-ranked squads from Duke and Wake Forest.
Michael Schachner of Duke and Zach Sucher of UAB were declared co-medalists after wrapping up the final round with matching scores of 7-under 203. Florida’s Tyson Alexander finished one shot back in third place at 6-under 204, while Loupe tied Florida All-American Billy Horschel for fourth place at 5-under 205 for the championship.
The Tigers will return to action next month as they return to the state of Florida to compete in the Seminole Intercollegiate at Golden Eagle Country Club in Tallahassee from March 2-4. Florida State will play host to the Tigers’ first three-day event of the season.
GATOR INVITATIONAL – FINAL ROUND RESULTS
TEAM SCORES (Par 840)
1. Florida 269-273-278 – 820 -20; 2. Florida State 278-276-278 – 832 -8; 3. Mississippi State 288-275-279 – 842 +2; 4. UAB 276-280-288 – 844 +4; 5. South Alabama 283-282-286 – 851 +11; t6. LSU 283-279-291 – 853 +13; t6. Duke 289-281-283 – 853 +13; t6. Wake Forest 288-278-287 – 853 +13; 9. Coastal Carolina 283-283-290 – 856 +16; 10. Georgia Southern 287-282-292 – 861 +21; 11. Ole Miss 280-281-301 – 862 +22; 12. North Florida 284-286-295 – 865 +25; 13. South Florida 291-294-288 – 873 +33; 14. Georgia State 290-290-308 – 888 +48
TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS (Par 210)
t1. Michael Schachner, Duke, 68-68-67 – 203 -7; t1. Zach Sucher, UAB, 68-67-68 – 203 -7; 3. Tyson Alexander 66-70-68 – 204 -6; t4. Andrew Loupe, LSU, 68-65-72 – 205 -5; t4. Billy Horschel, Florida, 67-68-70 – 205 -5; t6. Jonas Blixt, Florida State, 67-67-73 – 207 -3; t6. Marc-Ettienne Bussieres, South Alabama, 68-72-67 – 207 -3; t6. Seath Lauer, Florida State, 72-68-67 – 207 -3; t9. Brendan Gielow, Wake Forest, 71-68-69 – 208 -2; t9. Drew Kittleson, Florida State, 72-68-68 – 208 -2; t9. Bank Vongvanij, Florida, 68-67-73 – 208 -2
LSU SCORES
T4. Andrew Loupe 68-65-72 – 205 -5
T28. Jarrod Barsamian 72-71-72 – 215 +5
T38. Bryant Lach 73-71-73 – 217 +7
T44. Brian Noonan 70-74-74 – 218 +8
T57. John Peterson 75-72-75 – 222 +12
After taking the lead with rounds of 2-under 68 and 5-under 65 on Saturday, Loupe posted a 2-over par 72 in Sunday’s final round to finish the championship in a tie for fourth at 5-under 205.
Loupe, whose previous best finish in a tournament this season was a tie for 11th place in both the Squire Creek Invitational and Bridgestone Collegiate Championship during the fall, fired the best tournament score by a Tiger this season and the lowest of his young career.
Junior Jarrod Barsamian matched Loupe’s effort with a 2-over 72 of his own in the final round to lead the Tigers into a tie for sixth place in the team standings with a 54-hole score of 13-over 853, including an 11-over 291 on Sunday. Barsamian was the Tigers’ No. 2 performer on the weekend as he tied for 28th place at 5-over 215.
Sophomore Bryant Lach carded a 3-over 73 on Sunday to wrap up the championship in a tie for 38th at 7-over 217, while senior Brian Noonan was one stroke back in a tie for 44th at 8-over 218 and freshman John Peterson finished in a tie for 57th at 12-over 222 in his spring debut.
Florida ran away with the team title for the fifth year in a row as three Gators blistered the course with Top 10 finishes en route to firing a 54-hole team score of 20-under 820 for the weekend.
The Florida State Seminoles finished a distant second at 8-under 832. Mississippi State posted a solid 2-over 842 to take third place, while UAB was two strokes back in fourth at 4-over 844 and South Alabama rounded out the top five after recording a three-round total of 11-over 851. LSU finished in a tie with nationally-ranked squads from Duke and Wake Forest.
Michael Schachner of Duke and Zach Sucher of UAB were declared co-medalists after wrapping up the final round with matching scores of 7-under 203. Florida’s Tyson Alexander finished one shot back in third place at 6-under 204, while Loupe tied Florida All-American Billy Horschel for fourth place at 5-under 205 for the championship.
The Tigers will return to action next month as they return to the state of Florida to compete in the Seminole Intercollegiate at Golden Eagle Country Club in Tallahassee from March 2-4. Florida State will play host to the Tigers’ first three-day event of the season.
GATOR INVITATIONAL – FINAL ROUND RESULTS
TEAM SCORES (Par 840)
1. Florida 269-273-278 – 820 -20; 2. Florida State 278-276-278 – 832 -8; 3. Mississippi State 288-275-279 – 842 +2; 4. UAB 276-280-288 – 844 +4; 5. South Alabama 283-282-286 – 851 +11; t6. LSU 283-279-291 – 853 +13; t6. Duke 289-281-283 – 853 +13; t6. Wake Forest 288-278-287 – 853 +13; 9. Coastal Carolina 283-283-290 – 856 +16; 10. Georgia Southern 287-282-292 – 861 +21; 11. Ole Miss 280-281-301 – 862 +22; 12. North Florida 284-286-295 – 865 +25; 13. South Florida 291-294-288 – 873 +33; 14. Georgia State 290-290-308 – 888 +48
TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS (Par 210)
t1. Michael Schachner, Duke, 68-68-67 – 203 -7; t1. Zach Sucher, UAB, 68-67-68 – 203 -7; 3. Tyson Alexander 66-70-68 – 204 -6; t4. Andrew Loupe, LSU, 68-65-72 – 205 -5; t4. Billy Horschel, Florida, 67-68-70 – 205 -5; t6. Jonas Blixt, Florida State, 67-67-73 – 207 -3; t6. Marc-Ettienne Bussieres, South Alabama, 68-72-67 – 207 -3; t6. Seath Lauer, Florida State, 72-68-67 – 207 -3; t9. Brendan Gielow, Wake Forest, 71-68-69 – 208 -2; t9. Drew Kittleson, Florida State, 72-68-68 – 208 -2; t9. Bank Vongvanij, Florida, 68-67-73 – 208 -2
LSU SCORES
T4. Andrew Loupe 68-65-72 – 205 -5
T28. Jarrod Barsamian 72-71-72 – 215 +5
T38. Bryant Lach 73-71-73 – 217 +7
T44. Brian Noonan 70-74-74 – 218 +8
T57. John Peterson 75-72-75 – 222 +12
LSU Golf Team Start Season With Solid Performance
(UWIRE) BATON ROUGE, La. — In his third season at LSU, coach Chuck Winstead is looking for his program to turn the corner and develop into a team that can compete with the best in the nation.
"When coach took over three years ago, the first thing he told us was he did not want to run an average program — LSU deserved to be the best," LSU senior Brian Noonan said. "Coach is constantly bringing in young talent. The facilities are improving, and the future of this program looks very bright."
When the Tigers traveled to Gainesville, Fla., for the Gator Invitational in 2007, the team shot 44-over par for the tournament and finished 12th out of the 14 teams in the tournament. In this season’s Gator Invitational the Tigers showed how far they have come.
This past weekend, the team returned to Gainesville and finished tied for sixth in the tournament, firing a 54-hole score of 13-over par.
The Tigers were tied for sixth with No. 8 Duke and No. 18 Wake Forest.
The top performer for LSU was freshman Andrew Loupe, who tied for fourth after firing a 5-under-par 205.
No. 14 Florida ran away with the title after shooting a 20-under 820. Duke’s Michael Schachner and UAB’s Zach Sucher shared the individual title, finishing at 7-under.
Despite the major turnaround from last year, Winstead is still looking at his lineup and working to figure out what mix of players will produce the superior results.
"We don’t go into a tournament with expectations to finish first, sixth or 14th," Winstead said. "With this being the first tournament of spring, we went in with a mindset to work on our game."
The development of the younger players on the team will be an important measure to see how the program grows throughout the next few seasons.
Loupe showed flashes of the talent the team has in their underclassmen. Loupe shot a 5-under par 65 on Saturday to grab the lead in the tournament before stumbling to a 2-over-par 72 on Sunday to finish two shots out of the lead. It was Loupe’s first top-10 performance of his young career.
"Andrew Loupe had a great weekend, his best weekend as a Tiger," Winstead said. "He is a very devoted young man and he really led this group with his level of play. I am quite certain he has a bright future ahead of him."
Joining Loupe in LSU’s freshman class are standouts Clayton Rotz and Jarrod Barsamian, together they comprise Golfstat.com’s No. 4 ranked freshman class. The trio combined for eight top-20 finishes during the fall season.
Noonan said the achievement of the freshman trio is pushing the upperclassmen on the team to get better and not get outplayed by their younger counterparts.
In addition to the young players that are already proving their worth, over the winter break Winstead inked Golfweek’s No. 4 2008 recruiting class. The three-man class includes the top two prospects in the state of Texas — No. 10 prospect Sang Yi and No. 16 Josh Jones.Thursday, February 14, 2008
Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants awarded to 18 chapters of The First Tee --N.O. Chapter is Recipient
To date, 155 of the 206 active chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant. The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1,810,000.
Since 2001, The PGA of America and Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified chapters of The First Tee that utilize PGA Professionals for instruction.
"The PGA of America is proud to kick off this New Year with our partner Jack Nicklaus to extend Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants coast to coast," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The wonderful messages and reports we receive are that these grants continue to produce success stories in communities. The First Tee momentum has helped grow the game of golf and brought many young people into the game."
The program continues to highlight The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.
The current Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants totaling $5,000 each have been awarded to The First Tee Chapters in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.
Since its inception in 1997, there are 206 chapters of The First Tee in operation and 264 golf-learning facilities that have introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.2 million participants and students (which include the students of the National School Program). The focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation
The PGA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is dedicated to enhancing lives through the game of golf. The Foundation provides people of every ability, race, gender, and social and economic background an opportunity to experience the game and learn vital life lessons. The PGA Foundation achieves its mission through programs which provide instruction and access to playing the game of golf along with enriching those lives by providing educational, employment and scholarship opportunities.
For more information about the PGA Foundation, visit www.pgafoundation.org, or call (561) 624-7612.
Nicklaus/PGA of America Teaching Grant - $5,000 awarded to each chapter
The First Tee of Greater Trenton - Hamilton, N.J.
The First Tee of The Tri-Valley - Pleasanton, Calif.
The First Tee of Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The First Tee of Columbia Basin - Pasco, Wash.
The First Tee of New Orleans - New Orleans, La.
The First Tee of Albany - Albany, Ga.
The First Tee of Clearwater - Clearwater, Fla.
The First Tee of Modesto - Modesto, Calif.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Essex County - Newark, N.J.
The First Tee of Northern Nevada - Reno, Nev.
The First Tee of Eagle County - Edwards, Colo.
The First Tee of Idaho - Boise, Idaho
The First Tee of the Lake Norman Region - Cornelius, N.C.
The First Tee of Central Louisiana - Pineville, La.
The First Tee of Harford County, Md. - Aberdeen, Md.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Nassau County - East Meadow, N.Y.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Golf Club at Chelsea Piers - New York, N.Y.
The First Tee of Brazoria County - Lake Jackson, Texas
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.
The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
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