Competing with the best
Based on their success the last couple of years, the University of Indianapolis’ men’s golf team earned an invitation to play in the Golfweek Division II Spring Invitational in Orlando Feb. 7-9. Indianapolis finished in a share of sixth place in the three-day tournament.
Nova Southeastern University, ranked No. 13, captured the team championship.
Each of the 18 teams that participated in the first-ever tournament were either ranked or receiving votes in the GolfWorld/Nike D-II Coaches Poll.
“It was a great experience because it was a very important tournament with a bunch of ranked teams there. We found out pretty quick where we stand,” said head coach Brent Nicoson. “I’m pretty happy with two [golfers] getting a top 20.”
The outcome inspired confidence for the team.
“Overall, a sixth-place finish is pretty respectable given the fact that we haven’t really been able to get out and play much due to the weather,” said senior Seth Fair. “And the teams that were there were all very highly ranked. Plus, since we played bad the first day, the way we came back and finished sixth is something to build on.”
Individually, UIndy had some outstanding performances. Fair, the 16th-ranked golfer in the D-II Golfstat Cup standings, led the Greyhounds at two strokes over par, good for a fifth-place tie.
“I was proud of Fair for getting a top five and fighting back,” Nicoson said.
Sophomore Aaron Monson tied for 18th, finishing seven strokes over par.
“He played really well,” Fair said. “All of us struggled the first round. He took on a leadership role and knew that he had to step up and play well the last two rounds. He definitely did that.”
Coach Nicoson also had high praise for his sophomore.
“Aaron played very solid. We’re going to get good things out of him in the spring. He’s too good a player with a great work ethic. Getting a top 20 in that field was not easy,” Nicoson said.
Indianapolis persevered through a bad first day. Their resiliency was on display as Fair improved his score by seven strokes over the tournament. Monson improved by three strokes in the final round.
“We didn’t get off to a good start and we kind of shot ourselves out of contention in the first round. I was proud of how they fought back and kept moving up the leader board,’’ Nicoson said.
In Indianapolis, golfers cannot practice outside year round. That fact added significance to their result.
Coach Nicoson acknowledged that.
“Finishing sixth in a field like that with getting no practice whatsoever before we went was pretty good,” he said.
Fair knows the ability the team possesses.
“The way we competed definitely shows that our team is talented, and we can play with the southern teams,” Fair said.
Orlando hosted the first tournament the ‘Hounds had played in almost four full months. According to Fair, UIndy took a little time to assimilate themselves back to playing competitive golf.
“Once you get into the competitive round, every stroke matters. Getting into that competitive mindset took some of us the first round to do that.”
Over spring break, the ‘Hounds travel is further south to Humacao, Puerto Rico to play in the Palmas Del Mar Intercollegiate, an opportunity that one golfer anticipates.
“I’m definitely excited about going to Puerto Rico. Being a senior able to go to Puerto Rico for a tournament is exciting,” Fair said. “That field is a DI tournament. It’s going to have some pretty good competition, but I think we can hang with them,” Fair said.
Coach Nicoson realizes that it’s a business trip.
“We’re really excited. We’ve never done this before. The kids are excited because it’s right on the beach. More importantly, we’re going to get a job done. It’s good preparation for what we have coming up with conference and regional tournaments,” he said.
Though Indianapolis will be competing in a DI tournament, nothing will change.
“Honestly, it’s just another golf tournament.” Fair said. “Our mindset is that we’re competing against the golf course. That’s the way that we look at it.”
