Troy University Athletics
Troy Golf Makes Progress During 08-09 Season
5/7/2009 6:30:00 PM | Golf
The 2008-09 Troy University golf season came to an end for both the men's and women's teams at the Sun Belt Championship. While neither team accomplished their goal of a conference title, both have much to be excited about going forward.
The Troy women's team ended the year with their best ever finish in the Sun Belt Conference, posting their two lowest rounds of the year in the league championship, earning a sixth place finish.
“I'm proud of the players,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “They worked hard this year and they've put in a lot of rounds to get where they are.”
The men's team didn't do quite as well, placing 10th at the Sun Belt Championships.
“Finishing that low was a little disappointing,” Terry said. “We just didn't get the train rolling while we were there.”
Both teams had their best finish all year when they hosted their own tournament. The women's team placed third at the Troy University Women's Invitational in October while the men's team finished second at the Troy University Invitational in early March.
Jay Harris posted the two best individual finishes of the year, tying for second at the Troy University Invitational with a three-round score of 223 and finishing tied for first in the dual with Samford in April with a one round score of 72.
Kaley Branton had the highest finish for the year for the women's team, placing fourth at the Eat-A-Peach Collegiate in September, posting a three round score of 236.
“We got a lot of things accomplished this year,” Terry said. “Our mediocre finishes don't reflect how we really played. We had bad weather in most of our tournaments all year and we didn't get to play in ideal conditions until the Sun Belt Championships.”
The improvements showed in the rankings as the girls were able to move about 40 spots from their initial rankings at the beginning of the season while the guys were able to move up 30 spots.
While there was success on the course, six of the players found success in the classroom as well.
Liz Balkcom, Desirae Zine, Brittany Bassett, Danielle Skipper, Zach Portemont and Jake Brodhead were all honored during the Sun Belt Championships for having high GPAs.
Balkcom, Zine and Bassett were all named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List for having a GPA of 3.5 or better. Skipper, Portemont and Brodhead were named to the SBC Academic Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
“It's not just about what they do while playing golf,” Terry said. “They are student-athletes, with a focus on the student part. We're really proud of all they have done in the classroom.”
Troy will lose some key members from the team with Skipper, Brodhead, Harris, Wes Parker, and Michael McGrady graduatuating.
“We're going to miss the seniors,” Terry said. “It will be hard to replace them, but we have six guys coming back and all but one from the girls team. We're going to keep working and improving for next year.”
The Troy women's team ended the year with their best ever finish in the Sun Belt Conference, posting their two lowest rounds of the year in the league championship, earning a sixth place finish.
“I'm proud of the players,” Trojans coach Matt Terry said. “They worked hard this year and they've put in a lot of rounds to get where they are.”
The men's team didn't do quite as well, placing 10th at the Sun Belt Championships.
“Finishing that low was a little disappointing,” Terry said. “We just didn't get the train rolling while we were there.”
Both teams had their best finish all year when they hosted their own tournament. The women's team placed third at the Troy University Women's Invitational in October while the men's team finished second at the Troy University Invitational in early March.
Jay Harris posted the two best individual finishes of the year, tying for second at the Troy University Invitational with a three-round score of 223 and finishing tied for first in the dual with Samford in April with a one round score of 72.
Kaley Branton had the highest finish for the year for the women's team, placing fourth at the Eat-A-Peach Collegiate in September, posting a three round score of 236.
“We got a lot of things accomplished this year,” Terry said. “Our mediocre finishes don't reflect how we really played. We had bad weather in most of our tournaments all year and we didn't get to play in ideal conditions until the Sun Belt Championships.”
The improvements showed in the rankings as the girls were able to move about 40 spots from their initial rankings at the beginning of the season while the guys were able to move up 30 spots.
While there was success on the course, six of the players found success in the classroom as well.
Liz Balkcom, Desirae Zine, Brittany Bassett, Danielle Skipper, Zach Portemont and Jake Brodhead were all honored during the Sun Belt Championships for having high GPAs.
Balkcom, Zine and Bassett were all named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List for having a GPA of 3.5 or better. Skipper, Portemont and Brodhead were named to the SBC Academic Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
“It's not just about what they do while playing golf,” Terry said. “They are student-athletes, with a focus on the student part. We're really proud of all they have done in the classroom.”
Troy will lose some key members from the team with Skipper, Brodhead, Harris, Wes Parker, and Michael McGrady graduatuating.
“We're going to miss the seniors,” Terry said. “It will be hard to replace them, but we have six guys coming back and all but one from the girls team. We're going to keep working and improving for next year.”
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