Top-ranked Men's Golf motivated to represent Texas with class
Dec. 14, 2011
Natalie England, TexasSports.com When it's time to take their minds off the minutia of golf, the Texas Longhorns of the men's golf team often turn their attention to the ping pong table inside their team room at The University of Texas Golf Club. But even if they're taking a break from reading greens and shaping shots, they can't manage to get away from one thing -- competing. And for the Longhorns practice, and even apparently recreation, makes perfect. Ranked first in the Golf World/Nike Golf Men's Coaches Poll, UT won its final three tournaments of the fall season by an average margin of 20.67 strokes. The Longhorns have now won three-straight tournaments for the first time since spring 2002. "We'll continue to try to create confidence through our competition," head coach John Fields said. Fields encourages that daily and reinforces that with his tournament qualifying methods. Five players can represent UT on a team, and the best four scores are taken after each tournament round. If a player finishes the tournament in the top 10 individually, he automatically qualifies to compete in the next one. Should he win the tournament, he's eligible for the next three tournaments. "That way, you're rewarded for your success, but you still have to compete on a week-to-week basis," Fields said. Fields searched globally to stitch together this roster, which features individuals from Venezuela, Finland and South Africa. However, the majority are Texans, and for the international representatives, "we've made them Texans in a hurry," said Fields, who asked his golfers to pose for their official team photo is cowboy boots and jeans. "They all really do care about each other, and they really care about Texas," Fields continued. "They want to see Texas succeed."
Freshman Jordan Spieth came to the Longhorns with impressive credentials -- a U.S. Junior Amateur victory, a spot on the 2011 Walker Cup team and a pair of strong performances at the HP Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour. Spieth earned his first collegiate win at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational, followed in second place individually by senior teammate Dylan Frittelli. Isleworth was also site of the UT's third-straight team triumph. "I think we all agree that the feeling of helping the team win is a lot better than coming back here as an individual winning," Spieth said. Teammate Julio Vegas says Spieth is a "complete athlete," who has elevated the already intense team environment. But the Longhorns aren't shy about reminding Spieth he's still a freshman. "Oh," Spieth says, "I'm in charge of a lot of things different around here. I'm in charge of carrying stuff through the airports, like some bags, all the trophies. It's not too bad." Spieth says his game has improved in this short semester with the Longhorns because of the caliber of players on the team roster. "I get to learn from guys like Dylan and Julio. That's definitely helped me to get out there and calm down and just play my own game," Spieth said. "And trying to beat them in practice definitely helps you in tournaments." With seven spring tournaments, plus the conference tournament, NCAA Regional play and hopefully the NCAA Championships, the Longhorns look forward to proving their collective mettle down the stretch. "It's just a competitive environment. We've got a core group of players who really know how to compete," Frittelli said. "I know we have the capabilities to win every golf tournament we play." |
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