FORE! USF Golf Coach Dr. Gary Nelson Reports On The Team's Progress

Sept. 27, 2005

Head golf coach Dr. Gary Nelson gives his views on the progress of the USF golf team heading into the season's third event, the MacKenzie Classic at the Meadow Club.

COACH NELSON'S READ

FIRST GREEN:

The day after our first tournament at Air Force Academy, I walked into the mailroom at USF. Several of the Athletic Staff were there as well as a couple of coaches. They looked at me with sad eyes and offered their condolences. I cracked up. They had seen the report of our last place finish. What they hadn't seen was the positive things that I observed first hand. First of all our team was within three strokes of 7th place after two rounds. Our second round was under 300 strokes, and we were throwing out our high score that was lower than any of the other teams except for Cal and the eventual winner Air Force. What really had me excited was the attitude of our players. The three freshmen came away with fire in their belly. There were no "if only" statements, only "what do I have to do to improve."

Added to that, was the leadership shown by the two old guys on the traveling team, juniors Moses Kahalekulu, and Taylor Hobin. They are completely different in personalities, Taylor a quiet, lead by example type, while Moses is aggressive, not afraid to get in the face of one of the freshmen if they step out of line. To me the tournament was a success, and I couldn?t wait for the next one.

By being with the players for the three days and observing their play, I also had a much better idea of how to help them. The next week was spent making some equipment changes, learning a new, non-spin shot, and a new emphasis on practice.

SECOND GREEN

One of the changes from previous years is that the team this year has some quality depth. Each tournament the lowest three total scores from the previous event are exempted from qualifying. This means that two of the traveling spots are up for grabs, and competition is fierce for them. There are usually five players contending through the last qualifying round for the privilege of representing USF in the next tournament.

At Weber State, we again had three freshmen, though one was new to the traveling squad. Each round, as we gained confidence, our scores got lower 299, 291, and finally the low round of the tournament a seven under 281. We finished 5th, our highest finish in many years outside of the conference championship, but that wasn't the best thing. The best thing was that to a man, we knew that we hadn't played our best golf. There was plenty left in the bank to draw from, and like after Air Force, the team was salivating for the next competition. The three freshmen came of age, and their performance led to their being exempt for the University of California's MacKenzie Intercollegiate at Meadow Club.

As a coach, I would be remiss if I didn't mention one other factor that is present on almost all high achieving teams, team chemistry. Good team chemistry is usually a result of good character, and this team has both. The players pull for each other even during the very competitive qualifying rounds. Even those who are going through rough patches in their game add to the team with their encouragement and positive attitudes.

The time between events is being spent both qualifying for the two open spots, and practicing the type of shots that will serve us well at Meadow Club. Another couple of players have undergone equipment changes. It emphasizes what a huge advantage it is to haveTaylor Made on our side as a full sponsor. If a coach or player identifies an area where equipment would make a difference, the new club, ball, etc. is only a phone call away, and the equipment the finest to be had from any manufacturer.

ARRIVING AT THE THIRD GREEN

The last six years I have been on the Board of Directors of the University of California's golf program. One of my main responsibilities was to run the Alister MacKenzie Collegiate Invitational for Cal at Meadow Club. The event became an instant classic, and two year?s ago it had the sixth strongest field in the nation. So many excellent programs wanted to play in it that this year USF, who I had always insisted be invited, was dropped.

After I accepted the head coach's position, I called a favor or two, and USF was reinstated. Now as I look at the field, one filled with Pac 10, and Big 10 powerhouses, I know what a great test it will be for our very young team. It will feel very strange to be bringing this young USF team to the event rather than instructing all the coaches on the rules of the competition and selecting pin locations for Cal's Coach Steve Desimone.

I had told Athletic Director Bill Hogan that I would only accept the position if he and the University would support the program so that we could compete with the big boys, not just the teams in our conference. I envisioned that that would realistically be two or three years down the road. The play of our four freshmen recruits and the re-dedication of our returning players has made me think that it might be a little sooner. We might not win the MacKenzie, but the other programs will know that we are there. And that is a good thing. The buzz is back about USF golf.