Hopeful Grizzlies approach HCAC Championship

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By Brittany Brownrigg, April 23, 2010

The 72-hole conference tournament will be held at two different golf courses. This weekend’s 36 holes will be played at The Legends — Franklin’s home course.

 

“I think we have a little bit of an advantage playing on our home course and we have our five best players playing,” head coach Roger Lundy said.

 

On May 1st and 2nd the Grizzlies will go on to the second golf course of the tournament at Kettering Country Club where Defiance College will play host.

 

The Grizzlies competed at Kettering earlier in the month and beat HCAC competitor Transylvania University by one stroke to win the tournament. Lundy said that it was good to see the course before the conference tournament.

 

“We got to map out a plan of how we can shoot lower that we did the first time,” Lundy said.

 

He also said each individual needs to play for their team in order for the Grizzlies to achieve their goals.

 

“We’re going to have to have five guys play their best golf together playing for their teammates,” Lundy said.

 

The five golfers competing in the conference tournament include seniors Matt Payne, Matt Hicks and Tom Moore, as well as junior captain Eric Whitaker and sophomore J.J. Burns.

 

“I think it is going to come down to who makes the most putts,” Whitaker said.

 

Lundy said the seniors have a large impact on the team and that this tournament will be no different.

 

“Eric might be the captain but seniors provide leadership, too,” Lundy said.

 

Senior Matt Payne said that this tournament will be different because it is a four-day tournament instead of the usual two-day tournaments the Grizzlies normally face. He said minimizing mistakes and not letting them snowball will be important.

 

“Consistency will be what it comes down to,” Payne said.

 

All three players agreed that Transylvania will be their biggest competition.

 

“We just need to worry about our game and not Transy’s [game],” Moore said.

 

Lundy said there is added motivation for the seniors to play well.

 

“It’s the last and most important tournament of the year and the winner gets to go to Hershey, Pa. [for the NCAA Division III National Championship],” Lundy said. “You don’t need much more motivation than that.”

 

Payne agreed and said the seniors want to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them.

 

“We know this is our last chance at the NCAA Division III Championship tournament,” he said.

 

Moore is looking to take advantage of the opportunity, as well.

 

“I’m just really trying to enjoy it since it’s my last chance to play college golf,” Moore said.

 

Lundy also said the players are not only playing for their teammates this year, but for retiring coach Richard Park, who recruited some of the men on the team and because of that they feel a special connection to him.

 

Whitaker said that coach Park helps make trips fun and enjoyable and they would love to help end his career with a trip to the national tournament.

 

“He’s pretty fun to have along,” Whitaker said.

 

“Everyone wants to win for him and send him out on a high note,” Payne said.

The Grizzlies have finished in the top five in all four of their tournaments this spring, including two first place finishes.

 

“They are definitely good enough to become champions,” Lundy said.

 

The 72-hole conference tournament begins at 11 a.m. this Saturday at The Legends.