Men's golf finishes 11th during first match of 2010

The University of Richmond men's golf team tied for 11th place at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate at Wexford Plantation in Hilton Head Island, S.C., Feb. 22 and 23.

Five of the team's 10 players attended the tournament and the team shot a 306 on Monday and a 300 on Tuesday.

Coach Adam Decker said he hoped the team would score an average less than 295.

"[Our ranking at Wexford] showed our rust and lack of practice," Decker said. "Obviously our expectations were higher, but we didn't get to prepare because of the weather."

Robert Lindstrom, a senior and one of the team's two captains, led the Spiders, tied for 33rd place and shot 78 in the first round and 73 during the last round. Freshman Nick Austin also tied for 33rd and shot 77 during the first round and a 2-over 74 during the last round.

Junior Sam Beach shot an even-par 72 on Monday and 82 on Tuesday, which ranked him 48th. Freshman Daniel Walker and junior Michael Shrader tied for 64th and each shot a cumulative score of 157.

"The weather needs to get better so we can practice like we need to," Lindstrom said. "We've had to get very creative."

Because of the snow in Richmond this winter, the team has not practiced at its normal facility in Richmond's Lakeside area. Players have practiced on an artificial green, hit shots off mats into snow banks and even used a carpet in a Robins Center classroom to practice putting, Decker said.

Despite the weather conditions, some players are still hopeful for the coming season.

"Coming into the spring season we were ranked 80th in the nation," junior Zak Kozuchowski said. "There's no reason we can't be best in our conference."

Both Lindstrom and Decker said the team needed to work on its short game - putting and chipping. They said they thought the team would be able to qualify for the NCAA tournament, which requires the team to be ranked high enough and to win the Atlantic-10 conference.

"I would like to end my college career on a good note and win the conference," Lindstrom said. "I've never made it that far, and I think we have a good chance."

Richmond does not have an on-campus course, so the team rarely plays here. Next fall, however, the Spiders will host their first home event at Independence Golf Club.

Decker said the team was great to work with and eager to compete.

"We're a relatively deep team," Decker said. "We've got 10 guys, and at any time any of them could represent the team."

Contact Collegian reporter Dryden Witman at dryden.witman@richmond.eduz,