By
Brian Penso
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Hatley and Barnes both finish in top 10
The Arizona men's golf team finished fourth at the Preview by Ping and Golfweek Tournament, yesterday. The tournament that contained 14 of the nation's top-20 teams.
"Anytime you can finish in the top five with all of the best teams competing, it is a great showing," assistant coach John Knauer said.
The tournament in Durham, N.C. was cut short due to continuous rain and inclement weather conditions. Even though the No. 6 Wildcats finished fourth, the coaches and players were dissatisfied with their performance.
"We did not play our best golf," Knauer said.
With six holes to go at the Duke University Golf Club, Arizona was tied for the lead, but they finished the tournament with eight bogeys and one double bogey.
"This is the second straight week we've had a chance to win at the end," Knauer said.
Even though they did not win, the Wildcats had two individuals that excelled.
Sophomores Reid Hatley and Ricky Barnes finished fifth and eighth, respectively.
Hatley was satisfied with his finish, though.
"I am playing real well right now, and I just want to keep doing what I am doing," Hatley said.
The rain may have affected his score.
In the pouring rain, Hatley was forced to attempt a shot over a water hazard - puddles in the fairway made his shot nearly impossible.
"At the time of that shot, I was in the lead, and unfortunately, I hit it in the water," Hatley said.
Knauer said Hatley's and Barnes' competitive nature is one of the main reasons that they are so successful.
"Like Tiger (Woods), when they play great, they still always says that there are areas of their game that needs to be improved," Knauer said.
Barnes and Hatley, though, were the only bright spots for the Wildcats.
Freshman Chris Nallen, junior Tom Weiss and Cody Beyer all played well below their ability.
"We need everyone to play well, and we are not getting that at this time," head coach Rick LaRose said.
Nallen lacks experience, and coaches feel that he will progress as the season continues.
"Nallen's eyes are wide open and he wants to do great, but he needs the experience," Knauer said. "Olympic athletes - who are the best of the best - get nervous and feel pressure, but their experience helps them overcome that and that will eventually happen to Chris."
Besides Nallen, Beyer, who is currently the No. 3 golfer on the team, has yet to put together a good showing in this young season.
"I am real disappointed with my play as of late," Beyer said. "The other guys are playing good, and I feel that I need to improve so I can feel like I am contributing to the team."
As a team, the Wildcats need all five golfers to play consistent golf, and they have not had that so far this season.
"We have a lot of potential, and I feel we have a chance to win each time we play," Hatley said.
Coach Knauer believes greatness is in the future for the team, though.
"Once we click as a team, we are going to be real dominant," Knauer said.
The Wildcats will enjoy a short break before they return to action on Oct. 15 at the Jerry Pate Invitational in Birmingham, Ala.
