As we enter the Spring season for athletics both men’s and women’s golf teams are preparing for the Spring season after a Fall season that showed potential.
In the Fall both teams had multiple top five finishes with standout performances from Freshman Gavin Dines and Sophomore Olivia Morgan.
Both Men’s and Women’s teams are younger than Head Coach Chris Gilbert has had in previous seasons, but the Conference Championship is their main focus that takes place April 29-30, as this is their best way to advance to the National Championship.
“I expect our same players that led the way for both programs to continue in the spring despite being first-year players. The coaching staff is very excited to watch their continued growth and leadership,” Gilbert said.
Dines won the Virginia McCoy Invitational in the Fall season and has been a key competitor in this young squad but has a lot of interest in the new courses and getting back into competing with his teammates.
“I am honestly looking forward to getting to play some new courses on the schedule and just getting back to the grind with the guys,” Dines said.
In the offseason, Dines took his time to focus more on the mental aspect of the game. Staying in the moment and only controlling what he can control on the course was a detail that Dines saw needed more attention as it’s a huge element to the sport of golf.
“I definitely make use of the simulator over break. In Topeka [where Morgan calls home] I’ll go with a friend to “The TeeBox” and we can play courses like Pebble Beach,” Morgan said. “It’s hard to practice in the winter and stay in the game, so I just do my best to swing a club anytime I get a chance.”
As golf is an outdoor sport, there isn’t much to do in the off-season. However, Dines explained that Baker has a simulator that helps keep players educated on ball speed and distance of each of their clubs.
Golf is a very individual sport, but collegiate golf is made up of five golfers’ scores creating a team aspect to golf. Both Dines and Morgan think both men’s and women’s teams have a great team atmosphere and is one thing they look forward to this season.
“I think we are ready for this season and really have a set team going in. As a team we have to focus on the task at hand and need to continue to play our best and be the best that we can,” Morgan said.
Both teams set out to compete in the Sycamore Ridge Shootout taking place in Spring Hill, Kan. March 11-12.
“I think we are all very excited to get back out and try and all stay healthy to have our best lineup competing every week. I think everyone is playing well as of now and I think this team could do something special this spring,” Dines said.
