Golf uses tourneys for preparation

“I think [the tournament] is all part of developing a better team,” coach Roger Lundy said. “Everything else is a step to get better [for the HCAC and National Tournaments].”

 

Franklin did not graduate any of its top five from last season as Eric Whitaker is expected to lead the pack for the Grizzlies in his junior campaign. Whitaker finished in a tie for third place last season in the Invitational behind then sophomore Mount’s Dean Kruschinski and then senior Matthew Martin of Transylvania University.

 

“Eric wants to win,” Lundy said. “Golf is very important to Eric. So from that standpoint, he puts in the time and effort to play at the level he wants.”

 

Senior Matt Payne finished 13th-place tie last year and sophomore Daylan Mueller looks to better his 16th-place finish from last year’s tournament.

 

The returning HCAC Freshman of the Year – James Dawson – from Transylvania did not participate in the event last year, but finished second in the conference tournament to help Transylvania to the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive year.

 

Franklin looks to get back on top of the conference, as they were in 2006. The team is now under the direction of coach Roger Lundy, as Coach Richard Park retired after 31 years and a span of HCAC Tournament championships (2002-2006). Park helped lead Franklin to 10 championships since 1988.

 

“Obviously, the goal is to win the conference tournament,” Lundy said. “Our players think we can do it, but it’s not going to be easy.”  

 

Lundy will be looking for the sweep this year as the women already won conference in the fall and will be making a trip down to Howey-of-the-Hills, Fla. in May.