KU Men's Golf Travels to Brickyard Collegiate in Georgia
Oct. 3, 2012
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s golf will look to build on its first top-5 finish of the season as well as a pair of individual top-10 placings from the Colorado Invitational when it opens play Friday at the Brickyard Collegiate in Macon, Ga.
KU fired consecutive rounds under par as a team for the first time since 2010 to begin the Colorado Invitational with scores of 287 (-1) and 283 (-5). An even-par 288 in the final round allowed Kansas to finish tied for fifth at the event after taking 10th place at the Golfweek Conference Challenge the prior week.
“A lot of it had to do with believing in themselves,” said Kansas head coach Jamie Bermel. “The first two tournaments we just got off to terrible starts in the first round. (At Colorado), through 12 holes in the first round, we were 10-under par. A lot of it has to do with them believing that they can play well. Hopefully we can carry that over to this week in Georgia.”
With a 10-day layoff between competitive rounds, the Jayhawks used the time to focus on keys to success at the event hosted by Mercer in addition to recovering physically from opening the season with three tournaments in 17 days.
“We concentrated a lot on short game,” said Bermel. “This golf course is one where you really have to chip and putt the ball well to score well. We’ve been doing some drills with that and trying to get them rested up. We played three in a row in September, so we were a little worn down, but I think we’re ready to go. It’s going to be a great field, so we’re looking forward to some great competition.”
Following his second career top-five after shooting three-straight rounds under par at the Colorado Invitational, senior Chris Gilbert said he still saw room for improvement and wanted to shoot even lower. Coach Bermel agreed the senior has many qualities to be in contention each week.
“He’s very consistent,” said Bermel. “He keeps the ball in play, hits his irons really well and putts the ball pretty well. He’s experienced. He shows very little emotion and is really steady out there. That bodes well with solid play and consistent play, which he’s shown all year. It’s my hope he’ll get a few more putts to roll in this week and instead of being in the top 10 or top five, maybe have a chance to win the golf tournament.”
The Brickyard Collegiate features three rounds over three days, beginning Friday, Oct. 5 and wrapping up Sunday, Oct. 7. Each round will tee off at 7:30 a.m. Central.
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