University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Off the Tee, Day 2
3/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Off the Tee, Day 2
Day 2, the college am tournament, March 9, 2003
Today was a little different practice round than we are accustomed to. We all got to play in the college amateur tournament that takes place at almost every college golf tournament to raise money for the program. I think Southern Miss recruited a few more fans, after our 18-hole adventure with some of Louisiana?s finest weekend warriors.
It was a perfect day, and we saw something we were not used to seeing, the sun. Yes, the sun did come out today, and the grass almost seemed to turn green right in front of our eyes. It was a taste of summertime as the temperature reached 80 degrees.
We teed off about 12 p.m. and got off to a pretty slow start. As we warmed up and got to know our playing partners a little better, the birdies came in flocks. Matt Wofford lipped out for eagle on the third hole and that got us started. We were in two groups, one in front of the other, and play was slow enough for us to communicate between groups. We had a great time all day and I am sure our newly-recruited fans enjoyed themselves as well.
After finishing the round we went into the large dining room for a banquet. We had every reason to be excited, because our college amateur team won by seven strokes. It was the first time my college amateur team didn?t finish in last place, so it was a nice finish to a great day.
Tomorrow is the 36-hole day, and we are hoofing it the whole way. Emptying your golf bag of all unnecessary weight and making sure Coach Johnson has plenty of sunflower seeds is the pre-tournament ritual. I think those things are addictive, because I go through at least two bags of seeds each tournament. Coach has a bag full of snacks that he brings in his cart each day, and you have to grab what you can each time you see him.
Everyone is playing well and this team is peaking at the right time. ?We have to do the best we can on every shot,? says Shane Rushing. It seems like he says that before each round at least once. Shane is right when he says that and if we stay focused, the trophy could be ours on Tuesday.
