Buckeyes Look to Make Adjustments – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Dec. 1, 2005
The Ohio State Men’s Golf team wrapped up its fall season at the Landfall Tradition (Oct. 28-30) finishing 10th at the Country Club of Landfall Jack Nicklaus: Marsh-Ocean Course.
Colin Biles (Jr., Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) led the team with the best stroke average at 73.7 and consistently placed the highest of his teammates throughout the fall tournament schedule. He tied for the No. 7 spot at the Big Ten/ Pac-Ten Challenge (Oct. 3-4), the best individual finish of the fall for a Buckeye.
“Colin distinguished himself as being the best player,” Josh Hellmann, Ohio State assistant coach, said. “He’s our captain and he expects to be the best.”
Although the team did not finish as well as it had hoped, the goal to compete well during a competitive fall schedule was attained.
Hellmann points to an interesting statistic.
“Our finishes for the fall season were ninth, sixth, 15th, 11th and 10th. If we improved one shot per round for the four guys that are counters (12 shots), we would have finished fourth, third, 11th, sixth, and fourth. Improving just two shots per round, which is very realistic, we would have won two events, finished sixth at Duke (Oct. 9-10), third at the Prestige (Oct. 17-18), and second at the Landfall Tradition. We’re very capable of doing it.”
After the five fall tournaments, the Buckeyes will take the winter off from competition and resume with the spring-season opener at the Gator Invitational Feb. 18-19 in Gainesville, Fla.
As the team awaits further competition, the Buckeyes plan to stay sharp and practice through the winter.
“The team really needs to improve the short game,” Hellmann said. “Putting was a little lackluster this fall. We need to take advantage of the opportunities we have (at the indoor facilities). Some players will venture to southern states to stay on top of their game and even play in some tournaments.”
When spring rolls around, the Buckeyes will be ready. If the squad improves its short game, better team finishes are within reach.
