Men's Golf: Season Outlook
February 12, 2009 | Men's Golf
Feb. 12, 2009
The 2009 Boston College men's golf team features a young, talented group of student-athletes. Last season, the Eagles recorded their best performance in the ACC Championship, finishing in 10th place. Building on last season's success may be a challenge, as the Eagles lost five seniors to graduation, but an exciting crop of newcomers join sophomores Robert DeMaio, Craig Kublin, Matthew Ouimet, and junior captain Jan Prokop to round out a strong squad.
Head coach Trevor Drum, in his eleventh season coaching the team, saw flashes of potential in his young team this fall.
"They are all improving quickly," Drum said. "I think the team is going to come together and shoot the scores needed to contend for tournament victories this spring."
Joining the Eagles this year are two freshmen: Kyle McCartan from Plano, Texas, and Kevin Melnick from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Also new to the team is John McAuliffe, a junior from Garden City, New Jersey.
"We are a young team with no seniors, but we have a great group coming in," Drum said.
In the fall, Craig Kublin had a solid campaign, including six rounds under 75. Kublin registered the top individual performance on the team in three of the five tournaments the Eagles played.
BC's best team finish was a 12th place performance in the Rutgers Invitational.
"We have a lot of talent on the team and are working hard on the mental side of the game to get the scores I know this team can shoot," Drum said.
Prokop is the only member of the team with at least two years of experience, and has aptly taken on the responsibilities of team captain. A member of the 2008 All-ACC Academic Team (along with Matthew Ouimet), he has impressed the coaching staff with the ability to lead by example.
"Jan Prokop is the best captain we have had in years," Drum said. "His leadership skills both on and off the course are tremendous."
The Eagles will begin their spring schedule in March, with a trip to Ft. Pierce, Florida for the Treasure Coast Classic. The team will travel to Statesboro, Ga., Grasonville, Md., and Greenville, N.C., before finishing the season at the ACC Championship in New London, N.C.
