Men's Golf Looking For Atlantic 10 Title And Return Trip To NCAAs In 2006-07
09/05/2006 | Men's Golf
Sept. 5, 2006
PRE-SEASON PRACTICE PHOTO GALLERY
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond men's golf team had just one senior and one junior play in the lineup last year, but that did not stop the Spiders from returning to the NCAA Men's Golf Championships.
Playing most of the year with three sophomores and a freshman in the lineup, Richmond finished third in the Mid-Atlantic Region to earn a spot in the NCAA East Regional for the first time since 2001. The Spiders won two tournaments on the year and finished fourth out of 13 teams at the highly competitive 2006 Atlantic 10 Championship, which sent a record-five teams to NCAA Regional play.
Now with all but graduated senior Tyler Randol back for the 2006-07 season, the Spiders are looking to improve on their Atlantic 10 finish and return to the NCAAs.
"We're looking to continue the momentum felt by making the NCAA Regional," said head coach Adam Decker, who was named Virginia State Coach of the Year after leading the Spiders to the NCAAs in his first year.
Richmond will be going for its fifth NCAA Men's Golf Championship bid in 2007. The Spiders went to the NCAA Regional from 1999-2001, including a trip to the NCAA National Championship in 1999.
"Our goal remains the same in terms of winning the Atlantic 10 Championship and competing for a berth in the NCAA Regionals," Decker said. "We feel like we have a team that can accomplish that."
Richmond returns seven players with collegiate tournament experience, including two all-conference players in senior John Pelet and junior Jordan Utley. Of the seven returning players, five of them were sophomores and one was a freshman.
"It was a young team last year and they should build on their experience," Decker said.
While the Spiders gained a lot of experience playing such a youthful squad in 2005-06, the team still has a young flavor to it. Pelet is the only senior on this year's roster to go along with three juniors, four sophomores and a freshman.
Pelet finished off the 2005-06 season strong, leading the Spiders in their final two tournaments, the NCAA East Regional and the Atlantic 10 Championship. He earned Atlantic All-Conference honors after tying for fifth at the conference championship, his second-career top-10 finish at an A-10 tournament.
"As the lone senior on the team, John brings a ton of experience to the lineup and we will be looking for his leadership, both on an off course," Decker said. "We expect him to build on a strong finish to last season."
Utley, who was named to Virginia Golf Coaches Association All-State First-Team, led the Spiders in scoring average in 2005-06 at 73.6. He played in all 13 events, leading the team in six tournaments with five top-five finishes. He led the team with nine sub-par rounds and his best finish was runner-up at Yale's Macdonald Cup.
"Jordan had an outstanding year and his on-course leadership among the team is a key to our success," Decker said. "We're looking for even better things from him this year."
Junior Chris Bagley finished second on the team in scoring average in 2005-06 and led the Spiders in two tournaments. He posted two top-10 finishes, including a tie for fifth at the Birkdale Collegiate Classic.
"Chris continues to improve his game and we're looking for some more leadership out of him in his third season of collegiate golf," Decker said.
Sophomore Tim Courtney was one of two players - with Utley - to play in all 13 tournaments for Richmond in 2005-06. As a freshman he finished fifth on the team with a 75.5 scoring average and was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week five times, along with A-10 Performer of the Week once.
"Tim played every event as a freshman, gaining invaluable experience," Decker said. "We're looking for his game to mature to the next level this year."
Junior Billy Hanes competed in eight tournaments in 2005-06, including both of the Spiders' tournament victories. His best finish was a tie for 13th at the Birkdale Collegiate Classic and his season-best round of 71 helped the Spiders capture the Towson/Drew Upton Memorial title.
"Billy can add invaluable depth after being a strong contributor in 2005-06," Decker said.
Junior Lawrence Lessing, a transfer from Boston College who is the brother of former Spider standout Steve Lessing, played in one tournament last year, shooting a season-best round of 74.
"Lawrence worked extremely hard in the summer and will compete for a spot in the lineup throughout the year," Decker said.
Sophomore David Feeley played in four tournaments as a freshman, including helping the Spiders to victory at the Big 5 Invitational.
"David broke into the lineup as a freshman and he has been working hard on his game, so he has a chance to be a fixture in the lineup," Decker said.
Sophomore Grant Rafield joins the team for the 2006-07 with a lot of junior golf experience and will depth to the squad.
Richmond's only freshman, Glen Allen, Va. native Hunter Townsend, will challenge for a spot in the lineup right away. The No. 2 ranked high school senior in the state of Virginia in 2006, Townsend led Deep Run High to three state titles in his high school career.
"Hunter comes to the program with a wealth of experience in tournament play and we're hoping he makes an immediate impact," Decker said.