Georgia State Men s Golf Newsletter

Transcription

1 Georgia State Men s Golf Newsletter From the Coaches Desk... Panther Fans and Boosters, From this year s Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies by an inductee about what his coach told early in his career: IF BETTER IS POSSIBLE THEN GOOD IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Ladies and gentlemen that is where we are!!! We accomplished so much last year and we are not even close to on an even playing field with most we competed against. What did we accomplish: 1. A Sun Belt Conference championship 2. Four wins, including three straight, both GSU records 3. One Academic All-American, Tyler Gruca 4. A second-place finsh at the NCAA Regional after being seeded No. 8, beating UCLA, SMU, Vanderbilt and UCF 5. A 22nd-place finish at the NCAA Championship beating more top ranked teams (including Auburn, Florida State and Southern Cal). All of this was good, very good in fact, BUT I believe we can do more. However, we cannot do more without your help and that is why I am writing this. The question then is: What do we need? The absolute No. 1 thing is a learning and practice center to help these young men maximize their effort on an everyday basis. We simply cannot get better and compete every year without the tools to accomplish that. Price tag $1,000,000 +/- to find a place and build with the equipment we need. There is nothing else on my list that is even close to this in importance. Most BCS schools spend 2, 3 or 4 times this much, but the least you can spend and have the basics is somewhere around $1,000,000. NEXT: How do we accomplish this goal? (continued on page 3) From the Editor s Desk... The summer is officially over (at least for those in athletics). It has been a great one as we watched the men s golf team continue to get better and prepare for the season. Many members of the team played an ambitious summer schedule to prepare for what will be a very tough team schedule compiled by coach Inman this season. Speaking of the schedule, you can find it on page three of this newsletter. It is a great schedule that includes trips to Alabama, Auburn and a return trip to California. The Panthers will also make the short trip out to Reynolds Plantation for a great event in March. We have welcomed five newcomers to the team. Over the next few newsletters, we will do a Q&A with each so that you can better get to know them. Please help me in welcoming Gus Wagoner, Hayden Poole, Sean Murphy, along with Alexander and Maximilian Herrman. We expect these five new additions to really help the depth of our program and compliment our four returning starters nicely. Congratulations are in order to recent graduate Tyler Gruca who earned GCAA Academic All-America honors for the second year in a row. Tyler truly showed what it meant to be an all-around student-athlete and will be deeply missed. As a reminder, the AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic is right around the corner, Oct , at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth. We are looking for volunteers as well as those interested in playing in the college-am. If you are interested in either, please call the golf office at Here s to a great season. Go Panthers! In this Issue... Page 2...Gruca Earns Top Honors Page 3... Schedule Announced Page 4...Summer Amateur Play Page 5... Booster Club Information Page 6...Panther Athletic Club Check out S for the latest Panther updates

2 Gruca Named GCAA Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar Georgia State men s golfer Tyler Gruca has been named a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Gruca earned the award both years that he was eligible to receive it from the organization. He was among 207 Division I student-athletes to receive the honor. In four years with the Panthers, Gruca never missed a tournament, playing in 45 events and 131 rounds, tied for third most in program history. He finished his career with a scoring average, compiling 39 rounds of par or better, tied for the seventh most in the GSU history books. He finished his career with arguably the best one-month stretch of his four-year career. After helping the Panthers win the Sun Belt Conference Championship, he finished third at the NCAA San Antonio Regional, guiding Georgia State to a second-place finish. Both were bests in program history and led the Panthers to the NCAA Championship were the squad finished 22nd. Gruca finished his senior season with a scoring aver- age and five top-25 finishes, including a second-place finish at the AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic that included a sec- ond round 65. head coach Joe Inman said. To come to us as a walk-on four years ago and to see where his career went is remarkable. He was everything a coach could want in a student-athlete and will be deeply missed by the program next season. I am glad to see he received this recognition one more time. To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar status an individual must be a junior or senior academical- ly, compete in at least three full years at the collegiate level, participate in 50-percent of his team s competitive rounds, have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division I, 78.0 in Division II, 77.0 in NAIA and 79.0 in Division III, and maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university. Former Panthers Alan Fowler, Derek Oakey, Kasper Jorgenson and D.J. Fiese each earned the award twice during their careers, while Tom Sherreard earned the award once. From the Coaches Desk (continued) There are 170,000+ GSU alumni. There are 100,000+ GSU alumni within 50 miles of Atlanta. There are 400 mostly GSU alumni we have in our booster club family that we send this newsletter to. Do you see any room for growth? Many of these alumni play golf. Many of these alumni would, including the ones getting this newsletter, carry/wear a GSU golf bag, head covers, putter cover, GSU golf cap, GSU golf shirt. We have all these items and want to get them out in the golf world, to start spreading the story of GSU Men s and Women s golf. Help us to spread the word to fellow GSU alumni, get involved, be proud and support GSU Golf!! Follow us on Twitter (@GaStateGolf)!! Help these young golfers that: 1. Go to class and make good grades 2. Act like gentlemen on the course 3. Play with passion and proficiency 4. Represent you in the highest possible manner, have at least a chance to compete with the best in U.S. We have a saying We make birdies not excuses!! We will be good again this coming year BUT we can be better with the right training facility. The main thing we want all of you who support us know is, these boys are great young men, who have high character and work ethic and deserve your support!!! PLEASE HELP!!! Coach Joe Inman

3 Panthers Announce Schedule Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Georgia State men s golf team announced its schedule. The year is highlighted by the fourth annual AutoTrader.com Col- legiate Classic, a return trip to California and an appearance in the national champions home event. The Panthers return four starters from a squad that won the Sun Belt Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Championship last May. The team won a school-record four events, includ- ing three-straight to end the season. After a second-place finish at the NCAA San Antonio Regional, Georgia State finished 22nd at the na- tional championship. The Panthers will open the fall at The Invitational held on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, S.C., Sept The course most recently host- ed the PGA Championship in 2012 and will feature a top-ranked field. The Panthers will open October returning to the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate at Old Overton Country Club in Vestavia Hills, Ala. The event is hosted by Alabama which won the national champion- ship last year and annually has one of the best fields in the country. After the season we had last year, I really wanted to make our schedule tougher this year, head coach Joe Inman said. Being able to add tournaments hosted by Alabama and Auburn, as well as the Linger Longer will challenge our team, but also make sure ready for the postseason when the time comes. The following weekend, the Panthers will host the fourth annual AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic Oct , at Berkeley Hills Coun- try Club in nearby Duluth. The 12-team field will play 36 holes on Monday, followed by the final round on Tuesday. Georgia State won the event for the first time in 2013 by two strokes over South Florida. The Panthers will conclude the fall at the UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate on the East Course at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C., Oct We are excited to host an event at Berkeley Hills once again this fall, Inman said. Everyone at the course has been very supportive of us over the years and to have AutoTrader.com back as a sponsor is special as well. The spring will start at the SunTrust Gator Invitational in Gaines- ville, Fla., Feb Georgia State last played in the event in 2011 and has made numerous appearances at the Mark Bostick Golf Course over the years. The Panthers will close out the month, Feb , at the Jones Sports Invitational, making the cross country trip to Saticoy Country Club in Somis, Calif., for an event hosted by Pepperdine. It will mark the second year in a row that Georgia State has travelled to the West Coast. California has some of the best golf courses in the world and the fact that we were able to do this trip again is great, Inman said. The team had a lot of fun last year. This event allows us to play against a lot of teams we would normally not see during the regular season. Georgia State will open a busy month of March at the Tiger Invita- tional hosted by Auburn at Grand National Golf Club, March The month will continue with a trip to the Linger Longer Invitational at Reynolds Planation March Georgia State will close out the month of March (27-29) by return- ing to the Furman Intercollegiate in Greenville, S.C. This will mark the fourth year in a row competing just up I-85 in one of the nation s biggest events, annually hosting more than 20 teams. Last year, the Pan- thers shared the team title with Virginia Tech, the first of three straight wins for GSU. The second of those wins game at the Irish Creek Intercollegiate which will once again be the last regular season event for the Panthers. This year s event will take place April 4-5 at The Club at Irish Creek and be hosted by Davidson and Charlotte. The defending Sun Belt Conference Champions will defend their title April The site for this year s championship has not yet been determined but is expected in the coming weeks. NCAA Regional play will once again take place at six national sites, May The NCAA Championship is set for Concession Golf Club in Tampa, Fla., May 29-June 3, with the final day of stroke play and the match play portion of the event televised on The Golf Channel SCHEDULE Date Day Tournament Course Location Fall /12-14 Fri.-Sun. The Invitational Kiawah - Ocean Course Kiawah Island, S.C. 10/5-7 Sun.-Tues. Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate Old Overton CC Vestavia Hills, Ala.. 10/13-14 Mon.-Tues. AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic Berkeley Hills CC Duluth, Ga. 10/25-26 Sat.-Sun. UNCG Bridgestone Collegiate Grandover Resort (East) Greensboro, N.C. Spring /14-15 Sat.-Sun. SunTrust Gator Invitational Mark Bostick G.C. Gainesville, Fla. 2/23-24 Mon.-Tues. Jones Sports Invitational Saticoy Country Club Somis, Calif. 3/9-10 Mon.-Tues. Tiger Invitational Grand National G.C. Opeklika, Ala. 3/20-22 Fri.-Sun. Linger Longer Invitational Great Waters G.C. Eatonton, Ga. 3/27-29 Fri.-Sun. Furman Intercollegiate Furman University Golf Club Greenville, S.C. 4/4-5 Sat.-Sun. Irish Creek Intercollegiate The Club at Irish Creek Kannapolis, N.C. 4/21-23 Mon.-Wed. Sun Belt Championship TBA TBA 5/14-16 Thurs.-Sat. NCAA Regional Six Sites Nationally tba 5/29-6/3 Tues.-Sun. NCAA Championships Concession Golf Club Tampa, Fla.

4 Panthers Perform Well During Summer Amateur Play Georgia State s returning players had a great summer play- ing in amateur events in every part of the United States and even outside of the country. Here is how each of them did: Damon Stephenson After opening the summer by just missing the cut at the Southwestern Amateur in Arizona, shooting 75-73, Stephenson finished a very respectable 32nd at the Dogwood Invi- tational at Druid Hills Country Club not too far from the Panthers campus. The rising senior shot to fin- ish out the month of June. Stephenson opened July with a tie for 24th at the Champi- onship at Berkeley Hills, shooting Later that week he shot at the Georgia State Amateur Championship. He finished his summer shooting 76 at the U.S. Amateur Quali- fier before returning home to see family in Australia. Davin White Had one of the busiest summers of all the Panthers, starting with a tie for 25th at the Sunnehanna Amateur in Pennsylvania. White shot at one of the premier tour- naments in the northeast. He followed with a fourth place Berkeley Hills, shooting He tied for 25th at the U.S. Amateur qualifier, shooting and then tied for 17th at the Choo Choo Invitational, shooting as only seven players broke par for the event. He rounded out his summer at the Georgia State Open, tying for 38th after shooting J.J. Grey Grey returned home for some time with his family after the NCAA Championship, but continued to play some very good golf. He opened the summer with a tie for 27th at the Brabazon Trophy, shooting After returning to the States, he tied for 32nd at The Players Am in Hilton head, shooting At U.S. Amateur qualifying, he tied for sixth and was the second alternate after shooting In a six-man playoff for two spots, he birdied the first hole, but double bogeyed the second, just missing out on a chance to be the first Panther to qualify for the event that was held at Atlanta Athletic Club in finish at the Greystone Invitational in Birmingham, shooting White followed with an impressive seventh place finish at the Dogwood Invitational in Atlanta, shooting After missing the cut at The Players Am in Hilton Head, shooting , White tied for 12th at the 108th Southern Am, shooting After tying for 20th at the U.S. Amateur qualifier, shooting 73-71, White finished his summer tying for 23rd at the Choo Choo Invitational in Chattanooga, shooting Nathan Mallonee Probably had the second busiest summer on the course and played well entering his second season. After missing the cut at the Southwestern Amateur, shooting 74-80, returned to the south and tied for 28th at the Greystone Invitational, shooting

5 Booster Club Information The has flown by and work continues for the Panther Men s Golf Booster Club which is continuing to look for your support as we prepare for a run at another NCAA Championship. With your support, we can continue a tradition that started over a decade ago as one of the premier golf programs in the country. Membership in the Panther Men s Golf Booster Club is an annual membership beginning each January and running through the following December. Members of every level will receive a copy of our monthly newsletter, a copy of the team media guide and this season s official Georgia State cap or visor of your choosing. To show our appreciation for your involvement, each level of giving receives a special bonus. We would also love to invite all of our boosters to come and follow our guys at tournaments, so please let us know if you are coming and we will introduce you to everyone. Donation $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Patron Saint Benefi ts Georgia State Cap or Visor x x x x x Call Coach Inman Georgia State Golf Shirt x x x x for details Georgia State tailgate Chair x x x Georgia State Logo Moon-lite Walking Golf Bag x x Round of Golf w/ Team at Booster Club Event x What Does Your Money Do? The money donated to the Panther Men s Golf Booster Club will help support our team at tournaments throughout the season and help us obtain some of our goals, including a home practice facility, team van and full-time assistant coach. As travel continues to become more expensive, your donations will help to ease those costs as well as allow us to schedule the best tournaments throughout the country to continue to get the word out about Georgia State golf. We have big plans for the future of our team and we want it to become your team as well. As always, feel free to contact us anytime with any questions that you might have. Panther Men s Golf Booster Club Name Levels of Giving Address Par $100 Friend $2500 Birdie $250 Patron Saint Phone Eagle $500 Ace $1000 By checking this box, you choose NOT to accept booster gifts. Your entire donation will be tax deductable. Please circle or write-in choice Instructions 1. Fill out the form completely and cut along the dotted line. 2. Make Checks payable to the Georgia State University Foundation 3. In the Memo/Subject line, please write in Men s Golf 4. Address the envelope to: Panther Men s Golf Booster Club Attn. Joe Inman 125 Decatur Street - Suite 201 Atlanta, GA 30303

6 Dear Valued Friend, The Panther Athletic Club (PAC) serves as the official fundraising arm of the Georgia State University Department of Athletics. The mission of the PAC is to maximize annual unrestricted support that provides funding for athletic scholarships, facilities, recruiting, travel and other budget-relieving expenses of the program. To provide important opportunities requires incredible commitment from a generous group of supporters. Supporters of GSU Athletics through the PAC are an integral part of an active and meaningful support structure that educates, houses, trains and coaches GSU student-athletes. A student-athlete s experience directly involves you. Your support in the stands drives GSU student-athletes to their best in competition and in the classroom. Your annual gift builds the foundation for their success. To learn how you cam become part of the growing PAC membership, please contact one of the Panther Athletic Club staff members by calling the PAC office at Your gift directly impacts the lives of over 360 student-athletes. Join the PAC today! Go Panthers! Warmest Regards, Panther Athletic Club