Preview of the Upcoming Ryder Championship
March 29, 2005
Coral Gables, Fla. (www. hurricanesports.com) – – As I walk around campus my last weeks here as a student, I cannot help but reminisce about my four years here as a Miami Hurricane. I sometimes ask myself, “How did I manage to play golf for UM and attend class at the same time?”
It is not easy being an athlete. From the good times on the course, to the difficult times in the classroom, I will be forever in debt to the University of Miami for allowing me to mature as a person and as an athlete.
This week is our final regular season event, the Ryder State Championship. It will be my last home tournament and my last time to try and win the state championship. As I walk down the fairway of my final attempt to win at home, I will remember how proud I am to wear my Hurricane bag over my shoulders and how Miami has been such a great place for me to excel as a golfer. I will miss the team, especially the coaching of Lela Cannon, who is such an amazing coach and person. I could not imagine playing college golf under anyone else.
California and Florida are the two states remaining that still do this type of event. We will have all of the teams in the state of Florida competing for the coveted title of “State Champion”. The last time Miami won the title was in 1993. This year, with two wins out of our last three starts, our odds are looking pretty good. I can’t think of anything better than going out and winning our last regular season event at home.
Everyone has been practicing real hard. Although some of us were sidelined with illness last week, we are ready to take on all the best teams in the state this weekend and come home winners on Sunday. We have an extremely talented team this year, and we already proved we know the golf course winning the Papa John’s Collegiate at Shula’s in February.
Like they say, its mind over matter, but winning the overall title will not be an easy ride. South Florida, who took second to us at Waterlefe two weeks ago, could pull together some good scores and of course you cannot count out Florida State who is a solid team and can be sneaky-good. There is also Rollins College who has Charlotte Campbell, two-time NCAA Division II Champion, and individual winner of this event last year.
It will be a showdown at Shula’s this coming week. If we play well and win as a team, we will pretty much guarantee a spot at the NCAA Regional tournament in May. We have trained hard on our games all spring and now is the time for us to showcase our talent and win another event at home. Please come out and support us this weekend at Don Shula’s Golf Club in Miami Lakes at the Ryder State Golf Championship!
