Troy University Athletics
Men's Golf Prepares for Sun Belt Conference Championship
4/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Golf
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Troy men's golf team begins its first Sun Belt Conference Championship on Monday when the first of three rounds is played at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The tournament concludes Wednesday, when the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship will be awarded.
The Trojans have three top-three finishes during the 2005-06 season including a second-place standing at the Samford Intercollegiate in the first tournament in the spring season. However, they are coming off of three lower-division placings, the latest being 15th at the ASU Indian Classic.
That doesn't phase Head Coach Matt Terry and senior Steve Sims. "I am very disappointed with our play lately, but this a totally different golf course," said Terry. "This tournament is for a lot bigger stakes. I think last week could be a very good wake-up call for the team to know what it takes to compete for a conference title."
"We feel that if we play to our capability, we can compete with anyone," said Sims. "The course sets up well to how we play and we hit some good shots today (during Sunday's practice round).
Freshman Michael McGrady has been the Trojans' scoring leader throughout the season and enters the championship with a 73.6 stroke average. Jay Harris and Brandon Anthony follow at 74.3 and 74.8 strokes per round, respectively. Also competing for Troy this week are senior Steve Sims, whose 13th-place finish at the Indian Classic included a second-round 69, and Donnie Parker.
This is the second straight year that the championships have been held at PGA Village. The men's tournament is being contested at the North Course, a Tom Fazio-designed course that covers 7,026 yards. Last year. USA took advantage of a two-shot swing on the final hole to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette by one shot, finishing 13-over par overall.
Former UALR standout Patrick Sullivan was the individual medalist, carding a 4-under par 212 total.
This year, the league has shown some quality depth. Six players boast a scoring average under 73, with Denver's Charlie Soule leading the pack at 70.52. Teammate James Love holds the low Sun Belt round of 2005-06 with a 62.
Five of the league's 10 men's squads have won at least one team title this year.
