Struggling golf team looking for improvement
Coming in as a freshman this year, Utah State golfer Nick Summers said he was disappointed with the team’s work ethic. It has improved off and on this season, he said, but hasn’t been constant.
They can do better, Summers said.
“We play stupid,” he said
According to Summers, the squad is guilty of dumb mistakes that cost strokes. In order to be competitive, he said the players can’t afford to make those kind of mistakes in tournaments.
Head coach Dean Johansen agreed with Summers, saying there has been a bit of lackadaisical attitude from the team lately.
Considering the kind of winter Cache Valley had this year, USU golfers weren’t able to play much, and Johansen said their performance in the first tournament this spring was much like the winter weather – cold.
USU took 15th in a field of 16 in a tournament at Brigham Young University over the weekend. The teams USU competed against in that tournament were the best the team has seen this year, Johansen said.
USU Athletic Director Rance Pugmire said the golf team suffers the same plight as many Aggie sports – it is underfunded. The program can only offer two and a half scholarships, making it difficult to be competitive, he said.
Many other college teams are underfunded, including those USU competed with last weekend, but that doesn’t mean the Aggies shouldn’t work as hard, Summers said.
“There is no excuse to be outworked,” he said.
Johansen said the future looks bright for the Aggie golfers, especially with the class of freshmen who are “really stepping up.” Summers, Johansen said, has set the work ethic for the squad this year, helping spur some of his teammates along in practice, Johansen said.
“Nick’s a workhorse,” he said.
Senior Kevin Blotter has also shown great leadership, the coach said.
“He rarely shoots a high number,” Johansen said of Blotter.
Blotter’s brother Nate has been a key for the team through his community service, Johansen said.
“Kevin’s play and Nate’s [public relations] have saved me,” Johansen said.
Lately, the team has possessed more fire and competitiveness.
“The kids gel real well,” he said.
As the squad prepares to compete in the Big West Conference Championships in El Dorado Hills, Calif., this weekend, the coach said there is no reason to believe his squad won’t go in and do well. Though the team hasn’t seen many conference foes yet this season, he said the El Dorado course will treat them well.
Though the golf betting team doesn’t get much recognition, Summers said he doesn’t feel slighted. Overall, Summers said his experience as a freshman this season has been positive.
“It’s been a good learning year,” he said.