VU Golf Program

[VULB#62]

The latest Athletics site headline was about WG shattering the 54 hole team record (by....... 3 strokes).  But they were still deep in the standings.   It got me thinking about how some of our team sports are organized.

Men's and women's CC and T& F, while competing separately, are now organized under a single director as I understand it. Swimming & Diving as well. Why not Golf?  MG is kicking butt; WG not so much. Why?  Well, is it purely coach-dependent?  Some coaches are great at technique and skill development, but they suck at the skills necessary to find and recruit great athletes, and visa/versa. Then there is Dave Gring.

MG has recruited and developed some great players. What if MG HC Dave Gring were to be promoted to Director of Collegiate Golf and charged with expanding his successful strategic approach across both MG and WG?  The overall staff numbers would remain about the same (but maybe another support staffer would be necessary).   The two teams would be united under one flag. The recruiting ramifications are really attractive.

Just my 

[vu84v2]

#62 - I like the creative thinking, but I think a problem with following the model that you suggest is that, while T&F and CC have men's and women's events are often in the same location, men's and women's college golf tournaments are almost never co-located. Further, Dave Gring does the men's work out of true love and commitment (I strongly doubt he does it for the money). Thus, asking him to do more (when he does amazing work for one program) is asking an awful lot. Please also note that, whenever possible, he tries to leverage things he does for the men's program to help the women's program (e.g., home golf course).

[vu72]

I think I may have discovered the problem with the women's golf team.  Not to single out any one player, but, the coach's daughter just shot 102 and is dead last in the field after round one.  She did make two pars however.  I'm sure she is a great kid and wonderful student. Not sure she should be playing D1 golf however.

[Valpo14]

I think I may have discovered the problem with the women's golf team.  Not to single out any one player, but, the coach's daughter just shot 98 and is dead last in the field after round one.  She did make two pars however.  I'm sure she is a great kid and wonderful student. Not sure she should be playing D1 golf however.

The program is awful.
Just looked at the records the last few years. We aren't even close.

[VULB#62]

In cross country you need to have at least 5 runners for scoring purposes. You can have 4 run in the top 10, but the 5th coming in at #88 indicates a lack of depth.  Not knowing specifics, I'm guessing that's  the case with WG. They've got to recruit better and deeper.

[vu72]

I'm guessing that's  the case with WG. They've got to recruit better and deeper.

I wish it were so.  This tournament:  Our players:  Tied 21st; Tied  41st; Tied 46st ; 76th, Tied 78th and 80th.  As a team we are last by 11 strokes.  It isn't even close.

[VULB#62]

OK, point taken.  😰

B b b b b b ut..... we, as a team, are closely clustered, so we have a consistent core group

[vu84v2]

College golf scoring (for men and women). For each round, you count the four best 18 hole scores out of five players designated as playing for the team. In some tournaments, teams will have additional players compete individually and their scores cannot count in calculating the team score (though they are included in the individual competition).

[vu72]

College golf scoring (for men and women). For each round, you count the four best 18 hole scores out of five players designated as playing for the team. In some tournaments, teams will have additional players compete individually and their scores cannot count in calculating the team score (though they are included in the individual competition).

Exactly. Nonetheless, those women competing as individuals are still part of the team and their scores are an indication of the depth or lack there of of the team talent.