University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Men's Golfers Enjoying Successful Summer
8/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Aug. 1, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Just because school is out doesn't mean the tournaments stop. For some of the Southern Miss men's golfers, success has been finding them on the course this summer.
Incoming freshman Robert Derek Plucienski (Slidell, La.) has won four tournaments this summer on the New Orleans Golf Association Junior Tour, winning 18-hole events at Oak Harbor Golf Club (73) in Slidell, La., at Belle Terre Country Club (73) in LaPlace, La., at Beau Chene in Mandeville, La., and a 67 at the BC Cup at Money Hill in Abita Springs, La.
Plucienski has been pleased with his efforts this summer in preparation for his first season with the Golden Eagles.
"It surely has been a real good start to what I hope to be a great future at Southern Miss," Plucienski said.
Two returning sophomores also have enjoyed some good moments over their summer, including Tyler Sparks (Belmont, Miss.) and Freddie Janneck (Madison, Miss.).
Sparks recently finished tied for sixth at the Farm Bureau State Open in Jackson at the Colonial Country Club, in which he fired a 72, 71 and 70 over the 54-hole event. He also was the third top amateur to finish at the event with a 213.
"I hit the ball real well and had a good weekend putting," Sparks said after his strong showing at the State Open. "I hung in all weekend, and it paid off for me."
Just last weekend, Sparks reached the Round of 16 at the State Match Play Championship at Canebrake Country Club in Hattiesburg. Sparks won his opening match 9 and 8 over Jared Mayfield before losing to teammate Janneck, 4 and 3, in the second round.
Janneck, who reached the quarterfinals of the State Match Play Championships, has seen his share of success as well.
He tallied a No. 16 place at the State Open and ended No. 8 among amateurs, while posting a sixth place tie in the Greenwood Invitational at the Greenwood Country Club. Sparks recorded an 11th-place showing in that event.
"I feel like during the summer I have been able to progress each time out on the course," said Janneck. "My play is getting better, and I just have to keep practicing hard so that it only gets better."
The Golden Eagles open the fall portion of its 2007-08 slate at the Scenic City Invitational in Chattanooga, Tenn. The event will be held at the Council Fire Golf Club and hosted by Chattanooga.
