The UCSD golf team competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II West Super Regional from May 5 through May 7 on The Meadows Golf Course, in Littleton, Colo.
“”The Meadows has really good greens, and the course is kind of tricky, which allows them to hide the pins if they choose to,”” said UCSD head coach Mike Wydra. “”The course was in as good of shape as possible considering the drought that Colorado is in right now.””
The Tritons were competing against the best of the Western D-II teams and performed strong through the first two days of golf. On the last day, the team didn’t shoot as well, but was still able to finish with a score of 878, 14-over par, their lowest tournament total of the year.
“”This was really some of the best golf we’ve played all year; it is very rare to see a non-scholarship school below par after two rounds,”” Wydra said. “”The ball goes about 10 percent further in Colorado, and all our guys are big hitters; they really rose to the occasion and took advantage of the long shots.””
Individually, junior Brian Duckworth, who led the team with the score of two under par, was unavailable for comment, but Wydra had nothing but praise for him.
“”On the sixth hole of the course and Brian’s 15th hole of the round, he drove it to the green on a par four of 385 yards. Then on two different par fives of 561 and 545 yards, he used his nine iron for his second shot,”” Wydra said.
Fellow junior Alan Scheer, the No. 1 golfer on the team for the season, finished close behind with a score of one over par.
“”I was happy how I played,”” Scheer said. “”I accomplished most of the goals I set out for myself this season, but there is always room for improvement. On the whole, it was a successful season, and I think we should go even farther as a team next year.””
Sophomore Joe Dolby, who was leading the team after two rounds, had a little trouble in his third round; his first two-round combined score of 139 was the lowest two-round score of the team for the season.
“”I played real solid the first two rounds; my first round was the best putting round I’ve had all season,”” Dolby said. “”It was a lot of fun to play so well in a big tournament and be in contention for the win to see what kind of potential I have. If I had played well the last round, I had a chance to qualify for nationals.””
The Tritons’ squad was rounded out by two freshmen, Robbie Kramer and Justin Grant, whose respective totals of 232 and 235 helped keep UCSD’s score competitive in the tournament.
Looking forward to next season, Wydra, Scheer and Dolby are excited about the outlook of the golf team.
“”This tournament is real encouraging for next year,”” Dolby said. “”We’re going to build on this performance, and hopefully, make it to nationals as a team next.
