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Golf team ready for national stage Release Date:
May 7, 2009
MONMOUTH, Ill. —
For the second
time in three years, Monmouth College men’s golf coach Dave
Ragone will take his team to the NCAA Division III National
Championships.
The Fighting Scots
qualified for the national championships by winning last weekend’s
Midwest Conference Championship. Monmouth will represent the league
at the 72-hole tournament to be held May 10-15 in Port St. Lucie,
Fla. The tournament features a pro-style format with the opening 36
holes determining the cut for the final two rounds. The 36-team
field will be pared to 23 teams and five individuals not part of the
teams making the final cut after Monday and Tuesday’s rounds have
been completed. Scores will carry over for the final 36 holes
Thursday and Friday.
None of the five
golfers making the trip – senior Greg Jones (Roseville,
Ill./Roseville); juniors Ryan Harvey (Hennepin, Ill./Putnam
County), Ryan Tapscott (Port Byron, Ill./Riverdale) and
Ted Starkey (Springfield, Ill.); and sophomore Rodney Clayton
(Plano, Ill./Plano) – were on the national team when the Scots
qualified in 2007.
“The good news is
we have all underclassmen in this group with the exception of Greg,”
said Ragone. “We were just happy to be there in ’07. We
‘participated’ that year. This year, we’re there to COMPETE. Our No.
1 goal is to make the final cut.”
Teams will play
two different courses over the first two rounds at the PGA Village
in Port St. Lucie. The Ryder Course – named for Samuel Ryder,
founder of the Ryder Cup – is similar to the Scots’ home course at
Gibson Woods Golf Course. Rolling hills and plenty of timber, along
with abundant bunkers and just enough water hazards, could seem
familiar to the Scots, who practice under similar conditions daily.
While the Ryder
Course may feel a bit like home, the Dye Course is just the
opposite. The links-style course incorporates Florida’s natural
surroundings with waste and grass bunkers. Pine straw roughs will
challenge those unfortunate enough to miss the fairway. The course
meanders around wetlands and features elements of the older British
Isle courses.
“We expect the
courses to play at around 7,000 yards,” reported Ragone. “That’s a
little longer than we’ve played this year, so we’re working this
week more on our long-iron approaches and driver accuracy.”
The Scots have
been on a roll heading into the post season. Harvey has shot in the
70s in eight of his last nine rounds and Jones – with a season
average of just over 80 – has averaged just a shade over 79 for his
last nine outings. The rest of Ragone’s group is carrying season
averages in the 70s heading into Florida. Since April 10, Monmouth’s
team score has averaged 309.8. That would have placed them sixth in
2007, the last time they were in the field.
Monmouth’s best
team finish on the national stage came with 10th-place
finishes in both 1975 and 1978. Ironically, the 1975 team’s score –
943 – was the same score the 2009 edition shot to win the conference
title and earn their berth in the championships.
Ragone and Co. may
be hoping history could repeat itself.
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