The U golf team will begin its 2005-2006 season at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational this Saturday at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.
At last year’s season opener, also the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational, the Utes had a shaky start, finishing 30 over par as a team. Nick Carter turned in the top performance at the Gene Miranda for those returning this season with an even-par (71) finish.
This year the Utes will send newcomer Mike Branca, seniors Steve Newren and Nick Micek and sophomores Chris Gresh and Dustin Pimm.
“We are taking the five guys who are playing the best at this time,” head coach Randall McCracken said.
“It is hard to make predictions for a golf tournament, but I’m confident the team we are playing will perform well.”
They will be given quite an opening test on one of the more complex courses they will compete on this year.
“It’s a difficult course with fast greens and lots of slopes,” McCracken said.
“It’s a course where you have to hit a ball pretty straight.”
McCracken will be entering into his second season as head coach of the U golf team and is excited to see this year’s lineup enter into the new season.
“I’m most looking forward to seeing these guys play to their potential,” McCracken said. “If you ask most of them, last year was pretty disappointing, and most of the guys don’t feel like they performed their best. But this year already feels different.”
Many of the Ute golfers have kept themselves busy during the off-season.
Pimm, Micek, Gresh and Newren all had successful finishes throughout several summer amateur tournaments.
Pimm in particular has been thriving during the offseason. He tied for first at the Glendale Amateur and then qualified and performed in both the U.S. Open Sectional and the U.S. Amateur.
“We have a more positive attitude and more confidence going into this first tournament,” McCracken said. “I think we’re ready for a great year.”
The Falcon Invitational will extend all day Saturday and Sunday and will consist of three rounds.
