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After
uncertain beginning, menŐs golf finishing strong When head men’s golf coach Bill Montigel thought about how the team was going to do this season, he said he was unsure about what it could accomplish. But after playing in 10 tournaments, the Frogs have captured seven top-10 finishes. And Montigel said he couldn’t be happier. “I was hoping we would be doing as well as we’re doing now, but I really didn’t know how we would do at the beginning of the season,” Montigel said. “I’ve got seven experienced and talented golfers, and I have more depth than I have ever had. When you have the depth that we do, it creates competition especially at the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions on the team.” Despite all of the Frogs accomplishments, sophomore Adam Rubinson said they could be doing even better. “We did win a tournament, but we could have won many more,” Rubinson said. “We have a good thing here, and we have been experimenting with some new lineups, and we are close to where we want to be as a team. I have high expectations for everyone on this team, and everybody is playing well.” Rubinson, who redshirted last season, has four top-10 finishes and five top-20 finishes for the season. His best performance this season was in the Ridges/Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate, the first tournament of the fall season Sept. 9 to 10, where he finished tied for third. After grabbing fifth place at the Las Vegas Intercollegiate March 9 to 11, the then fourth-ranked Frogs finished 14th out of 15 teams at their next tournament, the Cleveland Golf/Morris Williams Intercollegiate March 26 to 27. The Frogs quickly rebounded as they finished fifth at their most recent tournament, the Ford U.S. Collegiate. Senior Scott Volpitto recorded his fourth top-10 finish of the year as he placed eighth in the Ford U.S. Collegiate. Junior Andy Doeden said Volpitto has been an important player for the team. “Scott keeps getting better and better,” Doeden said. “It’s good that he can end his TCU career playing good golf.” Despite some rough showings, Montigel said the team has been consistent all year long. “We have learned from the moments when we haven’t played our best,” Montigel said. “Each tournament, the team has gained experience. In golf, you’re not going to play well every week. They have played in adverse conditions and been able to bounce back when they’re not playing their best round. If you go out there and play well when it’s rainy or cold, you know you have a good golf game.” The Frogs have two and a half weeks off before they play in the Western Athletic Conference Championships April 30 to May 2 in Broken Arrow, Okla. As the Frogs approach the postseason, Doeden said the team is peaking at just the right time. “The team has gotten better as the year has gone on,” Doeden said. “It’s good to know we can compete with the top competition and to know what it’s like to be in the hunt. We have good attitudes and are excited to see that the postseason has come.” And now with the Frogs’ regular season behind them, Montigel said he is no longer uncertain about the Frogs’ capabilities.
Kelly Morris |