By McKinley Holding
The Florida Southern men’s golf team just completed a hot fall season winning half their events and finishing with a national rank of fifth in the nation. Their number one player on the team, Jack VanderSchuur, is a freshman ranked 13th nationally and eighth within the region, holding a strong scoring average of 69.9 and has two top three finishes. Their second spot on the team is Colton Swartz ranked 23rd nationally with a 70.5 scoring average. The teams third and fourth spot are Donte Groppuso and Max Barile, ranked 42nd and 48th, with scoring averages of 70.7 and 70.8.
In the new year, it will be Coach Brian Richey’s second spring season with the team. He is a Lakeland native and is already familiar with the program as he played for the Florida Southern men’s team from 2004-2009, and even earning his PGA Tour Card in 2010. He has only played 10 events as a pro tour player with one win in 2017 at the Roberto De Vicenzo Punta del Este Open Copa NEC, shooting 16 under par. Coach Richey already has skin in the game and is determined to take the team to nationals again this year, but with the means to win.
The Mocs will be met with seven tournaments in the spring, not including regionals or nationals. February 9th they will start swinging into the season at their home event, the Matlock Collegiate Classic at Lone Palm Golf Club. Only two of their events will be out of state. The National Championship Preview in Boulder City, Nevada and the First Federal Southeastern Collegiate in Valdosta, Georgia.
Here on the men’s golf team, there is a sense of excitement and readiness to plunge back into the heat of competition. Using the off season to take care of themselves and bond, they are holding onto their competitiveness that helped them achieve their previous victories in the fall. Here is Chris Pollak to tell us about what he is looking forward to in the spring.
The spring season is promising for the Mocs, especially after a impressive fall season. Florida Southern has already done a great job at supporting the team by building the brand new team facility, so don’t be shy to show up at their home event at Lone Palm Golf Club in the beginning of February to cheer them on. They would love to see the support as they make history for the college.