October 7, 2005

Golfers Travel to James Madison

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The Red will be teeing off in the James Madison Invitational with high hopes this Monday, especially after a fourth-place finish last weekend. Cornell head coach Matt Baughan feels that last week, the team was able to put everything together mentally and play to their ability. If the Red can duplicate that performance, it should finish as one of the top teams at James Madison. Due to a slow start this fall, at least a fourth or fifth place finish would be necessary to consider this season successful.

“I’ll shoot whatever I can shoot and hopefully we will all do our part. If we all shoot our best, I bet we can win. Coach [Baughan] feels we can win,” said junior Greg Peterson.

The course itself is generally considered an easier course. However, finishing among the top-4 again will not be so easy. In fact, Baughan is certain that this competition will be the strongest yet.

The likes of Western Carolina, Drexel, St. Bonaventure, and the host, James Madison, represent the top competition that the Red will be facing. St. Bonaventure finished first after a shootout with Drexel in last week’s Keenan Invitational. And, of course, James Madison’s golfers have the advantage of playing on their familiar home course.

The Red will once again be banking on top performances from sophomores Robbie Fritz, Chad Bernstein and Bret Perry – who finished 10th, 22nd, and 25th, respectively, in the Keenan Invitational.

Baughan hopes these top performers will be able to lead the Red to victory in this fall’s final tournament.

The three round event will take place at the Lakeview Golf Course in Harrisonburg, Va., on Monday and Tuesday. The course is a par-71 and is 6,496 yards in length.

The focus this fall for the Red has been consistency, not only individually, but as a team as well. Baughan has been working to smooth out each golfer’s game, to get him to score to his potential. As a team, timing is important too. Baughan said it is imperative to have each golfer at the top of his game at the same time.

The sole freshman on the team, Ross Thompson, feels the Red have a bright future.

“Everything is starting to come together. I am optimistic for the spring. It will be interesting to see how James Madison goes,” Thompson said.

With all cylinders starting to run in sync, the James Madison Invitational next week could turn this fall season around for the Red and should be a taste of what’s to come for the spring season.

Archived article by Roman Barinas
Sun Contributor