New coach brings fresh start to golf team
- Aug. 15, 2012
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The Kansas men’s golf team enters the 2012 season with All-Academic team honors from the Golf Coaches Association of America and a new head coach, Jamie Bermel.
Bermel, the head coach at Colorado State since 1999, led his Rams squads to 18 tournament victories and two conference titles. Bermel coached two seasons at Iowa State and five seasons at Drake before making the move to Lawrence.
“Lawrence is a great college town,” Bermel said. “I’m seeing it differently than a college kid because I have a family. I’m getting kids adjusted and signed up for school, but so far so good.”
When the Jayhawks start practice next week, Bermel said he and his staff are starting from scratch. They’re focused on building a team and getting to know the players.
“Everything starts in practice,” Bermel said. “You have to practice at a high level and expectations in practice have to be at a high level. We need to get better, all of us including the coaches, everyday.”
Expect the Jayhawks to play a much more aggressive style of golf under Bermel. He wants players to take chances, but make smart decisions on the course.
“If the hole sets up for us or the golf course sets up where we can be really aggressive, we’re going to do it,” Bermel said. “You just can’t play this game scared.”
The Jayhawks return many regulars from last year’s lineup.
Three seniors, Chris Gilbert, Alex Gutesha and Paul Harris, will return along with junior Bryce Brown.
Sophomores Dylan McClure and David Auer also return after being first year letterwinners. Stan Gautier comes into the year as a transfer from Arizona State.
Freshmen Prem Samritpricha, Jordan Santiago and Jackson Foth will fill the remaining roster spots.
The team starts the season at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational September 9-10 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
—Edited by Vikaas Shanker
