Men's golf team preparing to make run at national championship title
The Eastern Florida State College men's golf team is preparing to make another run at an NJCAA Division I National Championship title next week.
The Titans will be in Lubbock, Texas for the national championship tournament beginning May 15 at the Rawls Course in Lubbock. It is the 16th straight season the Titans have qualified for the national tournament and have finished in the top four the past three seasons.
The Titans qualified with a second-place finish in the District IV men's golf championships held at Duran Golf Club.
"At times we look good and at times we need some work to clean up the loose ends," Eastern Florida State College men's golf coach Jamie Howell said. "We have been holding practices early and late in the day in anticipation of early and late tee times. We are looking to keep our basics basic and have a good plan in place for when we arrive in Lubbock."
The Titans have some experience heading into the national tournament as Fraser Davren and Ryan Rozic are back from last season's third-place run. They are joined by sophomores Greg Darnell and Kyle Decenzo as well as freshman Beck Fox.
They will be tested by 21 teams and a 7,207-yard, par 72 course that is one of the best in the state of Texas and the home of the Texas Tech golf team.
"It can be a big course with plenty of room to drive the ball but you can't fire at every flag or be sloppy with short iron play. We played there six years ago and fared well by having a good plan of attack and keeping a patient approach to the week. The week is a marathon that plays out quickly," Howell said. "Each day is one round of golf and while play can move along slowly all too often the round is over just about the time some players are getting the hang of the course and the process. Staying committed to each shot as well as letting go of the last shot is a big part of any event, especially one over 72 holes."
The first round will be Tuesday, May 15 with the final round scheduled for May 18.