2008 Woodie Awards
Teed up and ready for spring break drive
By: David Johns
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Sports
For the Webster University golf team, Spring break begins on a bus to Georgia - they start the 2006-07 season against Piedmont College March 14.
The team has been practicing for the previous five weeks in preparation for competitive play. Only the last three, however, have been on the links.
"They've been doing a lot of water aerobics, some running," said associate coach Andrew Belsky, of their cardio-strong exercise regimen.
"We played some basketball this week," said senior co-captain Greg Murphy.
Midwest weather has been a factor with their practices, but soon it all gets chalked up to experience.
"We have to learn to play in every condition, not just in good weather," Belsky said after the team's weekly practice. "For many years, it's always been awful weather, right up to when we leave for break. This year is the best I can remember it being - we're ahead of where we'd usually be."
Belsky added that on that particular day's practice, it had been considerably windy.
"Obviously, it adds to the frustration, but that's part of any game," Belsky said.
Belsky had a difficult time determining who his top players are.
"Any five guys on this team could be standouts," Belsky said.
"A few of them have shown us something previously in their career."
Not all assessments by the coaching staff rely on players reputation, however.
"There are some players who come in and you just know they're your best.," Belsky said.
If temperamental weather hampers Belsky's determination of where his team is at, he'll be spending plenty of time with them over spring break.
"We'll be working on the fundamentals when were not competing," Belsky said.
Murphy has high expectations for Piedmont and the season in general.
"We've got three members returning of the five-man team that won the conference championship," Murphy said, "so I think it's fair to say we'll probably repeat."
For Murphy, this season will be his last at Webster and his last playing NCAA golf. The prospect of giving up his senior spring break, however, doesn't faze him at all.
"We'll be playing for free on some pretty nice courses pretty much the entire time," Murphy said.
Murphy added that there would be plenty of downtime on the bus rides to and from Georgia.
"It gets us doing the things we need to be doing as a team," said Belsky of the seven-day trip. "They can relax when they're home."
Not for too long, though, with the Eureka Invitational just a week later on March 24 and 25.
The team has been practicing for the previous five weeks in preparation for competitive play. Only the last three, however, have been on the links.
"They've been doing a lot of water aerobics, some running," said associate coach Andrew Belsky, of their cardio-strong exercise regimen.
"We played some basketball this week," said senior co-captain Greg Murphy.
Midwest weather has been a factor with their practices, but soon it all gets chalked up to experience.
"We have to learn to play in every condition, not just in good weather," Belsky said after the team's weekly practice. "For many years, it's always been awful weather, right up to when we leave for break. This year is the best I can remember it being - we're ahead of where we'd usually be."
Belsky added that on that particular day's practice, it had been considerably windy.
"Obviously, it adds to the frustration, but that's part of any game," Belsky said.
Belsky had a difficult time determining who his top players are.
"Any five guys on this team could be standouts," Belsky said.
"A few of them have shown us something previously in their career."
Not all assessments by the coaching staff rely on players reputation, however.
"There are some players who come in and you just know they're your best.," Belsky said.
If temperamental weather hampers Belsky's determination of where his team is at, he'll be spending plenty of time with them over spring break.
"We'll be working on the fundamentals when were not competing," Belsky said.
Murphy has high expectations for Piedmont and the season in general.
"We've got three members returning of the five-man team that won the conference championship," Murphy said, "so I think it's fair to say we'll probably repeat."
For Murphy, this season will be his last at Webster and his last playing NCAA golf. The prospect of giving up his senior spring break, however, doesn't faze him at all.
"We'll be playing for free on some pretty nice courses pretty much the entire time," Murphy said.
Murphy added that there would be plenty of downtime on the bus rides to and from Georgia.
"It gets us doing the things we need to be doing as a team," said Belsky of the seven-day trip. "They can relax when they're home."
Not for too long, though, with the Eureka Invitational just a week later on March 24 and 25.