Troy University Athletics
Start of Golf Season Delayed
9/5/2008 5:00:00 AM | Golf
September 5
Well, golf season has FINALLY decided to show up and guess what happens?! Another Delay!!
Tropical Storm Hanna has pushed back the debut of the 2008-09 Trojan golf team. We were supposed to be in Daifuskie Island, South Carolina, but the tournament has been postponed to the beginning of November. Now we must turn our attention to South Alabama's tournament in two weeks.
All the guys have been putting in extremely hard work and our newcomer is starting to get comfortable in Troy.
We are going to be led by our All-Conference senior Michael McGrady, who is coming off an absolutely amazing year last year in which he earned a berth to the NCAA Regional. Michael is definitely one of the best players in the country and we expect huge things again from him this year.
The rest of our team is comprised of four more seniors, two sophomores, one redshirt sophomore, one freshmen and one redshirt freshman. Wes Parker, Jake Brodhead, Justin Eaves and myself are the four seniors.
Let me be the first one to tell you that if you want to see someone who can putt the eyes out of a golf ball, then come watch Wes play or practice. The confidence he has on the green right now is something fun to watch! Not to mention that he is coming off a season in which he finished eighth in the nation in driving accuracy!!
Jake is definitely our longest hitter and sometimes I don't think there is anyone in the country who can touch him. Justin Eaves is probably playing better than anyone right now but he is going to redshirt this year and focus on school. I pity the people who play against him next year!
Reid Merritt has been working extremely hard to get the year started off right. He is an explosive player who isn't scared of anyone or anything. Chase Whitehead, Taylor Beebe and Zach Portemont are the remaining returning players we have this year.
I'm not sure I have ever seen anyone work harder than Zach does, have more natural ability than Chase does, or seen anyone make golf look as easy as Taylor does.
Rourke Van Der Spuy is our new guy this year and let me tell you, he has one of the best swings I've ever seen!! He is definitely going to be a humongous part of our success this year. This is why each player on our team has a certain dynamic they bring to the table and that is what makes us better everyday.
I am lucky to be spending my last year as a Trojan with these guys and we all have a feeling this year is going to be something special!!
The renovations at Troy Country Club are complete and it looks and plays like a completely different golf course. The workers out there did a wonderful job and we are very lucky to be able to use their facilities.
Coach Matt Terry and coach John Owens have worked their butts off to get us in some of the best tournaments we will have played in since I have been a Trojan. They are both ready to get those conference championship rings they both deserve.
All there is to do now is continue practicing as hard as we have been so far and get us on that first tee at South Alabama on Sept. 15th!! The Sun Belt is going to be very competitive this year and we expect to be at the top when it's all said and done!!
NOTHING LESS!!
Go Trojans!!
Jay Harris
