2009 Golf Preview
3/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
With momentum building, the Seton Hall men’s golf program launches into year five of the head coach Clay White regime. The Pirates have made steady and noticeable improvements yearly since White took over and now appear ready to compete for the BIG EAST title.
“Last year, we placed third at the BIG EAST Championship, which shows that we can compete on this level,” White said. “In three years, we’ve gone from 12th to ninth to third. We’ve shown the progression that is necessary to build a consistently competitive program and now we feel we have a legitimate chance at being a title contender in 2009.”
If the team’s fall season is any indication as to the success that awaits them this spring, the Pirates could be in for a historic year. In one of the most impressive seasons in the history of the program, Seton Hall won two tournaments and placed second in a third out of five team events this past fall. No Pirates took home individual honors, but Seton Hall’s balanced attack saw four different players score top-5 finishes and four maintain a stroke average of under 75.
“I was very pleased with our effort in the fall,” White said. We need to pick up where we left off and use it to get us off to a good start in the spring.”
Leading the charge is Seton Hall’s lone senior, John Zur. In four tournaments this fall, Zur had two top-20 finishes and maintained a stroke average of 75.22. A quiet leader who guides by example, he had is top performance of the fall at the Rutgers Invitational. Zur tied for fourth overall with a 2-under par, 71-69-140, to help guide Seton Hall to the tournament title. A strong finisher, Zur had the team’s best second round stroke average at 72.3.
“John is a pivotal player for us,” White said. In tournaments John performs well in, we as a team do well. He played great in the beginning of the fall, but didn’t play up to expectations as the season progressed. We’ll definitely need him to play well in the spring in order for us to be successful.”
A consistent performer, junior Ryan Castanet finished third on the team in three of the five fall tournaments. Castanet’s game got better as the season wore on, earning his top two finishes in the fall’s final two events. He placed seventh with a 4-over par, 70-78-148, in Seton Hall’s team victory at the Scotty Duncan Memorial Invitational. Castanet registered a 74.91 stroke average on the season.
“This fall, Ryan was a much more consistent player,” White said. “He has the ability to shoot low, but will no longer fall apart with a high number in his next round. It’s important for him to get off to a good start in the spring, get in the line-up and stay in the line-up.”
Arguably, the player who took the biggest step forward this fall was junior David Sampson. The
“Dave had a very good fall,” White said. “We closed out the season and he was still craving to play more. He could have won two tournaments, which would have been huge for him. As much as golf is a team sport, it is reliant on individual performance. The more Dave concentrates on his own personal game, the better golfer he’ll be and the better off we’ll be as a team.”
An important team player, J.C. Cardamone returns for his junior season. A key back-up, he played in four spring tournaments last year. Cardamone also played in last year’s BIG EAST Championship and helped the Pirates to a third place team finish.
“He may not crack the lineup that often, but J.C. brings something to the team that no one else does,” White said. “He keeps us loose. He keeps everything in perspective for the team. We need a guy who will contribute in other ways even if he doesn’t contribute regularly on the course.”
Seton Hall’s lone sophomore, Colin Van Es will certainly play a large role as the Pirates continue their quest to become a regular title contender. Van Es, like Castanet, got better as the fall season wore on. At the season’s finale, the Big-5 Classic, he fired a 1-over par, 70-73-143, to tie for third place overall. His performance guided the Pirates to a second place team finish. Van Es was 7-over par or better in four of the five tournaments and maintained a 74.18 stroke average for the season.
“Colin was in position to win the last two fall tournaments as well,” White said. “I look for him to continue to work and be that consistent player in the low 70s. He’s a part of a new era of player at Seton Hall whose expectations are higher than those of his predecessors. He’s a big part of the program going forward.”
Joining the veterans are two newcomers, Borja Faixat and Troy Spencer.
Faixat, a transfer from the
“Borja his a great kid who has a rare maturity about him,” White said. “Not only will his golf game get better, but he’s a great example off the course. He gets his school work done, gets good grades and makes good decisions. I think that’s important for both our young and old kids to see in a teammate.”
A top performer on the high school level in
“My expectations for
Seton Hall will play in six tournaments this spring. The Pirates will get a leg up on their BIG EAST competition right out of the gate as their first tournament, the Ron Smith/USF Invitational, will be played on the same
With a strong group of veterans and talented newcomers, the Pirates are no longer satisfied with simply competing. They’re looking to take the next step as a legitimate title contender.
“Everyone in the BIG EAST is getting better and we’re all getting a little closer,” White said. But we have to play well. We have the talent, but winning isn’t just about talent. It’s the mentality... the desire... the knowing. We’re building an expectation. We’re no longer simply interested in playing well. Our goal is to be in position to win the BIG EAST Championship.”
