July 14, 2006

South Orange, NJ (CSTV U-WIRE) -- The golf team finished last among 12 schools at the Big East Championship this week. The 54-hole two-day event was played in Dade City, Fla., and was a 54-hole event.

The team finished a combined 54 over par, a disappointing result for a team that has consistently performed better all season.

"We didn't play as well as we could have," head coach Clay White said. "I think we could have played better as a team."

After a first round in which the team shot 23 over par, the Pirates were in the hunt as they were only 11 strokes back of fifth place.

A 10 over par second round placed the team in last place after day one, 11 strokes back of Rutgers and Georgetown.

The third round, played on Tuesday, resulted in a 20 over par showing which kept the team in last place.

"It was the best field we've seen in two years," White said. "A couple of kids made big numbers on opening holes and we never recovered from it. We just need more experience in these kinds of fields."

Sophomore Kyle Morris led the team with a score of seven over par to finish tied for 31st place.

Morris has been consistent for the Pirates all spring, pacing the team with its lowest score in three tournaments this season.

"He's been consistent and the team needs consistency," White said. "He has led by example, and he can take us to the next level."

Morris said he could have played better in the tournament for himself and the team.

"There were multiple mistakes that I shouldn't have made," Morris said.

"The fact that we're not going down to Orlando next week for regionals is pretty disappointing. I feel like I let myself down and my teammates down because I didn't produce the scores that I should be producing."

Freshman John Zur and sophomore Rich Brazeau both finished fifteen over par to tie for 51st place overall.

Seven bogeys in both rounds one and three by Brazeau diluted a strong second round performance in which he shot two over par.

Nine bogeys by Zur in round one was a hole too deep for him to crawl out of.

According to White, the bogeys were a result of missing shots on greens that were not in perfect condition.

"Golf is a game of streaks," White said. "You can have good and bad shots."

Seniors Michael Byland and Dean Gultula finished off their Seton Hall golf careers with scores of 21 over par and 26 over par, respectively.

Byland, like Morris, led the team in scoring in three events this spring, his best performance coming in the Yale Spring Opener where he finished in fifth place.

According to White, the seniors have been through a lot in the past four years, but have demonstrated their leadership well.

"I think they've contributed by being good leaders for the younger guys," White said.

The golf team will now look to improve as they prepare for next year.

Morris, Zur and Brazeau all will return along with junior Sam Kenward.

Additionally, the team will add three freshman recruits, two which have already signed letters of intent.

According to White, the outlook for next year is a positive one. He feels the team can finish in the top five in tough tournaments.

Guiseppe Barone can be reached at baronegui@shu.edu.

(C) 2006 The Setonian via CSTV U-WIRE