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Printer-Friendly ModeGolf team able to experiment some before Super Regional
After winning first Great Lakes Regional, Cardinals are exempt until Super Regional starting April 30
February 27, 2006 —
The SVSU men's golf team does not need to perform well to get to the NCAA Super Regional this spring, but it certainly needs to if it hopes to win it.
That's because the Cardinals, who won the first Great Lakes Regional on Sept. 26 by six strokes, automatically qualified for the Regional, played in Lockport, Illinois between April 30 and May 3. But coach Andy Bethune says the team still needs to shoot well this year if it hopes to make its way to the National Championship in mid-May.
"(Being exempt) is a good thing," Bethune says. "It takes the pressure off. It allows me to allow the guys to approach tournaments differently and experiment with some things."
Bethune says that with the extra time to prepare, his team should have the advantage.
"There are some things we will try to implement," he says. "It gives us a leg up to be in preparation for the (Regional). We will be fully prepared."
Eight teams play at the Super Regional, which consists of teams from the GLIAC and the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Bethune says he expects teams like Grand Valley State and Northern Kentucky to make a push at the Regional.
"It's one tournament, three rounds, and eight teams," he says. "It's not about the best team all season, but the best team that week. So we still have to work hard."
The Cardinals will have ample opportunities to prepare for the Regional. Their second meet of the year is the second Great Lakes Regional at Perry Park, Kentucky from March 31 until April 2.
Bethune says that even though his team is already exempt, the Great Lakes Regionals are important to his team's success.
"It's an opportunity for teams to play at the same site," says Bethune, who likens the regionals to teams playing on a "neutral court" like in basketball.
Bethune explains that playing at the same site allows the NCAA to select which additional five teams will be at the Super Regional. The winners of the second and third Great Lakes Regional, played in Indianapolis from April 13 to 15, also automatically qualify for the Super Regional.
Only five golfers will represent the Cardinals at the Super Regional; Bethune says six guys will be playing most often throughout the season, so picking five out of the six will depend largely on individual play.
"We're going to see who plays best," Bethune says.
The team has just one senior, Adam Haswell, and will feature three sophomores and two juniors. Bethune labels Haswell as a "very steady leader," but is also expecting leadership out of several others.Sophomore Mike King led the Cardinals to the GLIAC Championship on Oct. 11 by shooting a three-over-par 219, which tied him for second. SVSU won the Championship, played in Erie, Pennsylvania, by five strokes.
"Mike's coming off an exciting fall after leading us to the conference title," Bethune says. "He is starting to understand how important it is fo the team to play well."
Bethune is also looking to junior Adam Miller, who was named GLIAC Golfer of the Week in late September.
"He's really becoming a leader," Bethune says.
The other junior that Bethune is looking for contribution from is Scott Urquhart, native of Queens Ferry, Scotland. Bethune says the adjustment to college has been difficult at times for Urquhart, but that he has "gotten comfortable" with juggling his classes and his play.
Bethune also points to sophomores Sean Patrick, a junior college transfer, and Sean Rutherford.
The Cardinals begin their season several days before the first Great Lakes Regional as they travel to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to play in the Nova Southeastern Invitational from March 26 to 28.
The meet, which begins on a Sunday and ends on a Tuesday, is the only tournament this season that will require the team to miss any class time. Bethune says the tournament is a key element to recruiting for him.
"Kids want to travel," he reasons, adding that a trip to Florida for several days is a unique recruiting tool.
SVSU will be busy the rest of April, competing in three more meets - including the third Great Lakes Regional - before the Super Regional.
"We still want to win," Bethune says. "But there will just be less pressure."
The team is preparing for the season by practicing at the domed facility at Kokomos on Tittabawassee Road. Bethune says that the team is only scheduled to practice once per week, but works on its own throughout the rest of the week. As the weather improves, the team will practice outdoors at both The Sawmill and Bay Valley Golf Club.