Wind once again challenges men’s golf
- Mar. 18, 2012
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The Kansas Men’s golf team finished 15th with a 54-hole total of 925 at the Border Olympics in Laredo, Tex. Saturday.
The Jayhawks struggled on day one before bouncing back, posting a 300, their best team score of the tournament by 12 strokes, on Saturday.
“It was windy, the pins were pretty tough and the greens were firm,” coach Kit Grove said. “It comes down to executing what you go over in the practice rounds and being able to adjust to weather changes.”
Once again, wind became a large factor in the Jayhawks play. The wind in Laredo gusted up to 30 mph creating difficult approach shots on a course that is historically low scoring.
The greens keeping staff at the Border Olympics focused on making the course a bit tougher this year.
“The scores last year were pretty good, so I think they were trying to guard against that.” Coach Gove said. “It was the wind though. It really changed how the course played.”
Par fives continued to hamper scoring for the team.
“In good weather the par fives are the holes to take advantage of and make up for some of your mistakes.” Coach Grove said. “After looking at the scorecards, we made bogey or worse 40 percent of the time on the par fives. That’s just unacceptable.”
Alex Gutesha led the Jayhawks finishing tied for 34th with a 54-hole total of 226. The Jayhawk senior was not happy about his performance after shooting a 77 in the second round.
“I didn’t score very well at all,” Gutesha said. “My putting was horrible. I have to work on my short game and the mental game, as well. You can’t misplace shots for no reason, so my mental game and the short game are the two biggest things.”
Chris Gilbert finished tied for 37th with a 54-hole total of 227. Paul Harris finished tied for 77th with a 238. Dylan McClure finished 79th with a 239, while Doug Quinones finished tied for 80th with a 240.
The Jayhawks travel to Goodyear, Ariz. for the Desert Shootout this week. The team is practicing at several different Phoenix area golf courses early next week.
“We’ll get out and hit the range and do some chipping and putting even though we’re on the road.” Coach Grove said. “When it comes down to it, when the gun goes off you just have to execute better. It’s not from a lack of preparation.”
