GC&SU Bobcat Golfers swing into 2002-03

The Georgia College & State University Golf Team is about to kick off another season that carries incredibly high expectations.

They hope to return to the NCAA tournament for the sixth year in a row.

The team is comprised of a combination of returning athletes from last year’s team and new comers who will play a key role this year.
“Basically we’re going to be pretty strong,” said Head GC&SU Golf Coach Jimmy Wilson. “We’ve got a lot of players back from last year. We got four new players, three out of the four were starters elsewhere. If we can play to our abilities, we’re going to be pretty good. Can we win it all? If we play as good as we are, yes we can.”

Returning to take a leader’s role for the Bobcats this year is senior David Robinson. Robinson has been the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year for past two years. Last season he held the team in stroke average with 79, and finished in the top 20 in 12 out of the 13 events the Bobcat golf team competed in last year. Robinson also had the honor of being asked to compete in the NCAA national tournament.

“David is a four year starter,” said Wilson. “He has been named captain this year. He’s probably the hardest worker we have on the team. It’s been neat watching David grow every year that he’s been here, both on and off the golf course.”

The other golfers from last season who will impact the team are seniors Jose Madrano, William “Bubba” Gwyn, Agustin Berroeta, juniors Brad Davis, Wes Simmons and sophomores Martin Madrano and Carter Collins.

Jose Madrano enters his fourth year with the Bobcats after playing in 12 tournament with one top twenty finish last year. He was named to the Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll.

“He’s got a world of talent and a world of ability,” said Wilson.

Gwyn returns for his third year with the Bobcats. He played in 12 tournaments with 7 top twenty finishes last year. He posted a 74.86 stroke average and earned All-Peach Belt Conference honors in 2001.

Berroeta had very limited action last year. He played in only one tournament and was named to the Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll.
Davis is in his third year with the team after playing in eight tournaments last year. He finished in the top twenty once last year. He finished with a 78.16 stroke average last year and was named to the Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll.

Simmons also had limited experience last year, playing in only two events for the Bobcats. He played in three tournaments as a freshman. He was named to the Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll last year.
Martin Madrano begins his second season with the Bobcats after playing in two tournaments in his freshman year. He finished in the top twenty once last year. He was also named to the Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll.

Collins enters his second season with the Bobcats after a terrific freshman year. He competed in 8 events with two top twenty finishes.

New golfers looking to learn from a well-seasoned Bobcat team are Clay Best, Josey Cameron, Bill Faith, and John Tillery.

“I’ve probably seen him [Best] improve more in the last two years as a player than anybody that I can remember seeing,” said Wilson. “He’s worked his tail off and he’ll be playing at number two this week.”

“Last year at Kennesaw [State University], he [Tillery] played at the one or two spot for them last year,” said Wilson. “So we’re looking for good things from him.”

The golf team and Coach Wilson share a desire to compete and play with all their ability. Coach Wilson concentrates on the future of his very talented capable team.

“Every time you go out, you go out to win the golf tournament,” said Wilson. “One thing we struggled with last year was having a full four starters. This year what I’m hoping is that we are going to have five starters. If we could throw out good scores every week then we are going to be very competitive.”

Sept. 22-24 will be the Bobcats first tournament of the year. They will be competing in the Carolina First Intercollegiate hosted by Francis Marion in Florence, S.C.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 20 2002. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry