The Online Reflector

By Crystal Abrell
Staff Writer

The University of Indianapolis men’s golf team began the fall season with a series of invitational competitions that will prepare team members for the spring season.

Head coach Brent Nicoson said he anticipates a very successful season. The men’s golf team’s first goal is to win the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Last year the ‘Hounds placed second and did not advance to nationals.

“With the talent we have, I expect to contend for a conference championship and gain an NCAA bid in the post-season,” Nicoson said. “It will be a great challenge for us to compete against the southern teams in their home environment.”

The ‘Hounds placed second at the Butler Invitational on Oct. 1-2 behind the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. At the Great Lakes Regional Competition, the team placed third of 24 on Sept. 24-25.

In the Great Lakes Regional Competition, sophomore Seth Fair was UIndy’s top finisher. Fair earned a share of fourth place by finishing two under par. Junior Justin Hueber shot even par on the first day, two over the second day and tied for 17th. Freshman Blair Webb tied for eighth with a total score of 143 for both days. The second day, Webb scored a low of 70, which was the ‘Hounds’ lowest score at the Great Lakes Regional Competition.

The Greyhounds were the only team to have all five golfers finish 38 or higher in the Great Lakes Competition.

Nicoson said this year’s team is different from last year’s team because there are several players who can win tournaments as individuals rather than the one or two athletes who could do so in previous years.

“We have great leadership on this year’s team,” Nicoson said.

Schultz said the team has qualities this year that have not been exhibited in previous years.

“I think the two main qualities that we have are talent and experience,” Schultz said.

Four athletes played in every tournament in the previous year and also played competitive golf in the summer.

“Having these four experienced players gives us a huge advantage against some of the other teams,” said Schultz. “I believe this is one of the most talented teams UIndy has ever seen.”

Nicoson said the team members haven’t had major setbacks so far, and the few injuries the team has sustained won’t prevent them from playing at a high level.

“We look forward to competing with the top teams in the nation and knowing we have a chance to win every tournament every time we tee the ball up,” Nicoson said.

Hueber said there is a great deal of leadership demonstrated in this season’s golfers.

“Seth Fair is doing a great job of leading the team right now,” Hueber said. “He is playing great golf, and I hope the rest of the team can help out by winning the national title.”

Fair has led the team in three of four competitions this year.

According to Nicoson, the team has the potential for a successful year.

“We have a great group of kids that have an unlimited amount of ability. If they stay out of their own way, they could have a great year,” Nicoson said.

Results for the Missouri-St. Louis Fall Invitational were not available as of The Relfector press time.

The ‘Hounds compete next in the Shark Classic in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Oct. 15. The tournament consists of nine of the 25 top-ranked teams in the nation.