Golf Teams Let Records Fall
October 26, 2006 | Men's Golf
Oct. 26, 2006
By: Brandon Hughes
Everyone has heard of the legendary sports credo that says records are meant to be broken. That said, the Texas Tech men's and women's golf teams have been adhering to that statement over the past couple of weeks.
Two weeks ago in Alabama, the men's golf team played in the Jerry Pate National where records fell like the snow in December.
Tech's 18-hole school record was broken twice during that tournament along with the overall 54-hole school record.
Adding to those marks was freshman Will Griffin who shot a 9-under 62 which broke the school record for a one-round score by two shots.
A modest Griffin said he shot a pretty solid round of golf and after struggling at first, everything just started going in.
"It was great, but I try not to think about it much," Griffin said, "Some days, they're not going in and other days, everything's going in. It was just my day that day."
Head coach Greg Sands was a bit more elaborative than Griffin.
"That was awesome," Sands said. We knew he could play. I didn't think he'd shoot 62, but I knew he could go low.
"He just had a special round, one he'll never forget, and I'm sure he'll have many more here at Tech and many more after he goes on to play professional."
Sands said that after struggling earlier in the season, he expects Griffin to cruise through the rest of the season now that Griffin is in his comfort zone.
"He's got all the tools and when he gets on a roll, he's not scared to go low and you can't teach that," Sands said. "Some guys will get four or five under par and then they get nervous and won't finish."
"Will's not that kind of player."
As much fun as the guys had in Alabama, the women's golf team had just as much fun in Florida where they took home 1st place at the GSU/Pelican Invite.
The win was the first for the women's golf team since 2003. Along with the first place mark, the ladies broke the women's school record by 14 shots. Head coach Stacey Totman said playing like this was a good way to end the girls' season and that the whole tournament was very impressive.
"It's been a while for this group of girls to actually see their talent and what they're capable of," Totman said. They went out and fought really hard through all three days and all three rounds. They worked really hard and put a lot of effort into this season and they had really high goals."
Totman said that as excited as the girls were after the tournament, she said they were anything but content. She said the girls have now seen what they are capable of and want to strive to get better and better.
With this tournament in their rearview mirror, the women's team now is looking at a three month break before resuming action in Mexico.
Totman said she has seen her team's confidence blossom throughout the semester and looks for it to continue into next year.
"They're a really young team, so the more experience they get, the better they look on the golf course," Totman said. "I just think it was the hard work, the experience and maturation, and sticking to the game plan we've given them that has made it very beneficial."
Players Mentioned
