|
|
|
2003-04 Men's Golf Season Review
Falcons continue to improve
May 26, 2004 In head coach George Koury's second season at the helm of the Air Force Academy golf team, the squad continued to show marked improvement. Despite finishing in eighth place at the Mountain West Championships, the Air Force Academy golf team had a strong 2003-04 season. Several young players stepped up and had stellar seasons, while other veterans contributed to the team's success. The highlight of the season came when the Falcons finished out the fall by capturing four of the top five spots to win the Service Academy Classic for the ninth consecutive season. The team captured second through fifth place, carding a three-round total of 362-360-361=1083 (using the top six of seven scores) to win the tournament and the Reemstma Trophy. Senior Timothy Thoren, the team's captain provided much-needed leadership to a group of younger golfers. Thoren, the team's lone senior, earned team MVP honors for his efforts. Freshman Tyler Goulding competed in every varsity tournament, gaining valuable experience. He will be an anchor for the team for years to come. Sophomore J.T. Hamamoto also had a stellar season. He captured second place at the Service Academy Classic and third at the Diablo Grande Intercollegiate in Patterson, Calif. At the Cowboy Classic, Hamamoto finished in second place and set Academy tournament records for both 36 holes (136 strokes) and 54 holes (205 strokes). Air Force started the fall season in disappointing fashion, finishing in 20th place out of 20 teams at New Mexico's Tucker Invitational. The team shot a three-round total of 925 (305-308-312). Freshman Tyler Goulding, playing in his first career tournament, was the team's top player, carding a 229 (78-78-73). The Falcons rebounded from a disastrous beginning with a strong tournament, placing fifth in the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational. The team carded a three-round total of 881 (290-291-300) to notch their first top 10 finish of the young season. The team entered the third round in fourth place, positioned to make a move towards the leaders. They were unable to take advantage of some early chances however, and they ended up dropping a position. Goulding, playing in only his second collegiate tournament, finished tied for seventh overall. He shot a three-round total of 72-68-75=215. Adam Wasinger placed 13th overall, while team captain Timothy Thoren was 16th. Air Force continued to have a solid season, notching its second consecutive top 10 finish with a ninth-place finish at the Denver Invitational. Air Force carded a three-round total of 899 (299-292-308) for the tournament. Sophomore J.T. Hamamoto had the best Falcon finishing, placing tied for 13th place with a three-round total of 218 (70-71-77). Wasinger was just one stroke behind his teammate at 219, finishing in 15th place. The golf team followed the Denver event up with a three-round total of 910 (304-302-304) at the Shangrila Shootout (La.), placing tied for 13th place. Goulding and freshman Benjamin Jackman tied for 32nd place and were the team's top finishers. In the first action of the spring season, Air Force competed without Wasinger, one of the team's top players, who left the team for personal reasons. The Falcons finished in 16th place out of 17 teams at the 2004 Roadrunner Intercollegiate, hosted by the University of Texas-San Antonio. The Falcons carded a three-round total of 936 (309-310-317). After just a few days of preparation, the Falcons left the cold weather of Colorado and headed to the Virgin Islands to compete in the St. Croix Invitational. Air Force placed 13th of 14 teams at the event. The Falcons carded a three-round total of 929 (316-304-309). Hamamoto led the team, carding a 79-77-73=229 for the top Falcon score to place tied for 43rd overall. His third round 73 was the lowest round of any golfer on the team. The team would then notch its best finish of the young spring season, placing fourth at the Diablo Grande Intercollegiate tournament. The Falcons carded a three-round total of 316-306-297=919 at the event. The Falcons improved in every round. Their final round of 297 was the best among the field of nine teams. They were led by J.T. Hamamoto, who carded a 223 (76-74-73). Hamamoto finished just three strokes out of first place. He tied for third place overall, his highest placing this spring. It wouldn't be the best finish of the season for Hamamoto, as the following tournament he would set Academy records at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic. Hamamoto had the lowest score 36-hole and 54-hole tournament score in school history, placing second overall. Hamamoto finished five strokes under par and was just one stroke behind the eventual winner, Travis Bertoni (Cal Poly). He carded a three-round total of 69-67-69=205. It is the lowest 54-hole tournament score in the history of the Air Force Academy, breaking the previous record of 207 set in 2001 by Ben Leestma. He was tied with three other golfers heading into the final round and a one-under par 69 helped him secure the runner up position. The team tied for 12th overall with an 867 (295-285-287). It was the lowest team score of the year for the Falcons. UCLA won the tournament. In the final regular season tournament of the season, the Falcons captured 14th place out of 15 teams at the annual BYU Cougar Classic, held at the Riverside Country Club in Provo, Utah. The Falcons carded a three-round total 893 (294-299-300). Falcon golfer Tyler Goulding placed tied for 12th overall to lead the team. Goulding finished the event two strokes under par, carding a 70-73-71=214. He was the only Falcon to finish the event below par. Despite their low finish in the tournament, the Falcons improved upon their season average by 10 strokes. Air Force finished out the year with an eighth-place finish at the Mountain West Conference Championships, held for the third consecutive season at the Crosswater Course (Par 72/7,568) in Sunriver, Ore. The Falcons improved their score each day of the event, carding a three-day total of 320-306-303=929.
Air Force opened the event with a disappointing total of 320 and they never recovered. Hamamoto finished tied for 20th overall with a 78-73-74=225. He was the team's top finisher, as no other player cracked the top 20.
|
|
