 |
 |
By Kevin Culwell
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 13, 1996
The Arizona men's golf team will try to build on a combination of youth and experience and its fifth-place showing at last season's NCAA championships when the squad opens its season this weekend at the W.H. Tucker Intercollegiate in Albuquerque, N.M.The coaching staff is optimistic about its chances, as four of the five starters from a year ago return, along with three freshmen.
"Every year we feel we have a chance to win the NCAA," assistant coach Tom Brill said. "We've got some kids coming back who will give us a good shot again."
"We're hoping these guys can pick up right where they left off," head coach Rick LaRose said.
Leading this year's charge will be junior Rory Sabbatini, who finished runner-up at the NCAA championships in June.
He also placed third at the College All-America Golf Classic and ninth at the Golfweek/PING Fall Preview.
"He'll certainly be a first team All-America candidate," said LaRose, who is entering his 19th season as head coach.
Also expected to lead the Wildcats this year will be senior Gary Matthews, who, like Sabbatini, is from South Africa.
Sophomores Andy Barnes and Todd Rose, who both played at the NCAA championships, will occupy the third and fourth spots on the men's squad.
Playing alongside the four returnees are three freshmen who the coaching staff is very high on. They will compete for the fifth spot on the starting team.
"There's a great load on the freshmen's shoulders, but I think they're more than capable of handling the pressure," LaRose said.
Scott Moore, a native of St. Louis, leads the group of newcomers.
Derek Gillespie, a native of Toronto, and Ryan Meyer, a walk-on from Fresno, Calif., are the other two who hope to lead Arizona to greater heights this year.
Gillespie, who played junior hockey in Canada, is very competitive and has a bright future, Brill said.
The Wildcats could receive a shot in the arm in January when senior Tim Beans is expected to return from a wrist injury.
Beans was the top player on the team last year before his injury and Arizona could have won the NCAA championship with him, LaRose said.
"It's a young team, but they've meshed together well already," Brill said. "I think this group will surprise some people this year."
|
|
|