2nd-place weekend finish boosts Gamecocks to No. 22
After a second-place finish last weekend, the men’s golf team is back on the road, playing in the Augusta State Invitational this weekend.
The Gamecocks have finished in the top three of their last six tournaments, including two first-place finishes.
Last weekend’s finish at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate tournament landed South Carolina at No. 22 in the Golf World rankings. They are one of seven SEC teams in the top 25 of the rankings.
This weekend, the Gamecocks will be competing against 14 teams, including in-state rivals Clemson, Coastal Carolina and USC Aiken.
The three-round tournament will begin Saturday with each golfer playing two rounds of golf. On the second day of the tournament, each golfer will complete a third round.
“It’s a two-day tournament, so I play three rounds in two days. The first day is 36 holes, which is always a long day, so I really have to stay patient and make sure I am well-rested and hydrated,” sophomore Will Starke said. “I really have to stay patient, because I am going to be out there for 11 or 12 hours playing golf.”
South Carolina played on the course last year and finished fifth out of 15 teams. Starke said his team is more prepared this year to succeed in the tournament.
“It’s a really good field, and we’re coming in playing some really good golf, and I think we have a good chance to win,” Starke said.
Starke has finished in the top 10 five times this season, including a seventh-place finish last weekend and a first-place finish two weekends ago in the Seahawk Intercollegiate Invitational.
“I’ve been playing well, but I don’t put any pressure or high expectations on myself. I just play and add it up at the end of the day,” Starke said.
Competing against three in-state programs along with four teams ranked ahead of South Carolina in the polls (Houston, Central Florida, Virginia Tech and Texas), the team is in for good competition.
Starke, however, said he is not focused on how good the other programs are. He is focused on his own game.
“I just try to keep it the same. Every time I tee up, I try to win,” Starke said. “I try not to get ahead of myself and let the golf course come to me, see what it gives me and take it one shot at a time.”
Along with Starke, three Gamecocks finished in the top 20 last weekend at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate.
Junior Will Murphy finished tied for 11th with fellow Gamecock freshman Ben Dietrich. Sophomore Matt NeSmith finished tied for 20th, shooting 1-over for the tournament.
The Gamecocks are looking to keep that kind of momentum going this weekend as they face top-tier competition.
“I expect us to play really well,” Starke said. “I’ve been playing well, Matt (NeSmith) has been playing well, and Will Murphy just won a golf tournament last weekend. I expect to have a really good chance to win.”