Golfers' hopes are high despite low temperatures
The Rio Pinar Intercollegiate in Orlando, Fla., begins Monday.
Published Feb. 16, 2007
Playing a round of golf on a frozen course in Missouri in February isn't exactly a dream come true, but it's what it will take for the Missouri golf team's dream to come true. Hopes are high for the spring season, even if the temperatures aren't.
The opening tournament begins Feb. 19 at the Rio Pinar Intercollegiate in Orlando, Fla. Team members feel they can beat the competition and finish in the top three, despite the presence of two top 25 teams, Tulsa and Louisville.
"We're trying to stay focused on one shot at a time, one hole at a time, one tournament at a time," sophomore Peter Malnati said.
Right now, the first challenge is making the jump from snow and ice to 70-degree weather.
"I'm afraid it's going to be a culture shock to be somewhere there isn't snow," Malnati said. "We're all looking forward to it."
The team hasn't had much practice on surfaces that aren't Astroturf or frozen, which could be a problem for the Tigers in their first tournament on grass in the South.
"We're at a little bit of a disadvantage to schools that are down there," senior Shawn Jasper said.
But senior John Kelly isn't looking at this harsh winter as a curse. He actually appreciates the blustery weather.
"I think this winter snow has been kind of good for us," Kelly said. "We're all really antsy to go play. Sometimes if you have a warmer winter, you're just kind of playing and nothing really motivates you."
Individual members of the team practiced during winter vacation. Many of the players call Tennessee home, so getting in extra rounds of golf wasn't a problem for them. Those from Missouri found their golf by flying south.
"Guys go on trips, I was down South over winter break," Jasper said. "We go where we can play. We definitely put in time over the off-season, otherwise we aren't ready for the spring."
But there is more than just a change in weather that stands in MU's way. After a tough fall, it will be hard for Missouri to make a comeback, but the team is confident it can be done.
"We're not in a great position right now, but it just takes two great tournaments to get back to where we want to be," Malnati said. "It's maybe a slightly dusty slate, but it's fairly clean."
Coach Mark Leroux is confident in his team and believes it can make a push for the playoffs.
"Anything can happen," Leroux said. "You only have to have one good segment to get your foot in the door and give you a chance at the postseason. I think that that's all we really want."
Leroux wasn't pleased with the scores his team was putting up in their practice rounds this winter in Missouri but thinks they will drop.
"I didn't think the scores were particularly good, or there were a whole lot of good golf shots," Leroux said. "But it's different when you're playing at home. What I like more is the enthusiasm among the guys. They're excited and ready to play."
Kelly points out that two years ago, the team had a rough fall season, but fought its way back in the spring, and he and Jasper have been trying to help the younger players.
"We're trying to remind them of that," Kelly said. "There's a pretty good chance we could do that again if we start playing the way we're capable of. There's no sense of panic, at least not yet, and hopefully there won't be. I'm excited."