Eagles open spring schedule on Monday in Johnny Palmer Invitational
Feb. 22, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- After advancing to the 2008 NCAA Division II Southeast Region Men's Golf Championship, Carson-Newman coach John Minor expects nothing less than a return trip for his Eagles in 2009.
The Eagles' quest to return to the Southeast Region begins on Monday in the Johnny Palmer Invitational at the Old North State Club in New London, N.C.
"We expect to get back to the regional tournament," said Minor, who is in his eighth season at the helm of the Eagles. "I think we are going to prepare better than we ever have before. We are a great golf team. We just have to go out on the golf course and make it happen."
The Eagles finished second in the South Atlantic Conference Championship last season before ending the year with a sixth place finish in the Southeast Region.
C-N already has four tournaments under its belt this year after playing out its fall schedule. The Eagles' best finishes were a sixth place showing at the State Farm Laker Collegiate and a seventh place finish in the Queens University Invitational.
Minor is pleased with the direction his squad is heading going into the spring schedule.
"I think we've grown up some," Minor said. "I think we are working harder on the golf course. I'm just very optimistic about our potential to play much better than we did in the fall."
C-N will have a mixture of youth and experience this season as the roster is made up of three juniors, three sophomores and a freshman.
Leading the way for the Eagles will be junior Brad Robinson (Johnson City, Tenn.). The 2008 All-SAC second team selection finished second in the Southeast Region in 2008 to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship in Houston, Texas, where he finished tied for 45th place. Robinson was sixth in the SAC in scoring average last season with a 73.5 average.
Robinson had three top 20 finished during C-N's fall season, including a second place showing in the State Farm Laker Collegiate.
"He has all kinds of game," Minor said of Robinson. "He is coming into this semester with the best attitude he has had since he's been here. I think he is eager to try and get back (to the NCAA Championship) this year."
Cory Hinchey (Abingdon, Va.) and Chase Conn (Mason, Ohio) round out the junior class. Hinchey competed in all four of C-N's fall tournaments and had a 77.6 scoring average.
"Cory is right where he needs to be," Minor said. "He can shoot any number he wants to shoot. (Conn) is a hard worker and talented golfer. He just has to figure out a way to shoot better scores."
Blake Howard (Johnson City, Tenn.), Adam Holt (Liverpool, Eng.) and John Minor Jr. (Dandridge, Tenn.) make up a strong sophomore class.
Howard finished in the top 20 once during the fall season. Holt, a newcomer after transferring from Florida International, placed 23rd in the Coker College Invitational. Minor Jr. had his best showing during the fall schedule in the Queens University Invitational, where he finished in a tie for 39th place.
"I think (Howard) is mentally prepared to have his best college golf semester yet," Minor said. "He's done a lot of good offseason work. Similar to Blake, (Minor Jr.) has really grown, and we are expecting the best golf of his career this spring."
C-N's lone freshman is Liam Ashby (Dublin, Ire.). Ashby, who participated in three of the Eagles' four tournaments in the fall, had his best showing in the Queens University Invitational in which he finished in a tie for 35th place.
"Ashby has made significant strides, and his confidence level is definitely showing," Minor said.
After wrapping up its regular season schedule, C-N will play in the South Atlantic Conference Championship at Etowah Valley Country Club in Etowah, N.C. on April 19.
