If individual play this fall is a sign of what to expect from the Miami University golfers in the spring, golf teams around the nation should be on the look out.
In the final tournament of the season, the RedHawk golf team finished in sixth place at 26-over-par led by senior golfer Nathan Sutherland.
Sutherland shot a career low 65, seven-under-par, in the second round of the St. Mary's Invitational in Pebble Beach, Calif.
"I hate to say it's what we expect, but that's the kind of kid he is," Head Coach Casey Lubahn said. "It's the kind of work ethic he has. To come back and fight like that after his hand injury and play a round like that is truly incredible."
In the two previous tournaments, Sutherland has struggled, coming up in 13th at the Georgetown Invitational and in 38th at the Renaissance Invitational. He was back on his game to end the season.
"I'm happy," Sutherland said. "It was fun. It's always kind of cool to get into that rhythm and shoot a good number like that. It was a good way to end the fall season."
The 'Hawks have seen outstanding play from a few individuals including Sutherland this season. Four players have been recognized as Mid-American Conference (MAC) golfers of the week. Both Blake English and freshman Austin Kelly were major contributors for Miami. Kelly won the Georgetown Intercollegiate by four strokes, leading the Red and White to a second place finish.
"To have a freshman come in and do something like that, it was exciting," Sutherland said. "It's something that hasn't been done for at least a couple of years. We were happy about that."
Aside from individual accomplishments, the RedHawks remember their victory at the Cardinal Intercollegiate in Louisville, Ky. as another highlight of the fall.
Throughout the winter, the team will participate in conditioning and flexibility workouts in addition to working on their short games when weather permits.
Sutherland said the biggest focus of the winter workouts is coming together as a team.
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Lubahn likes having the winter off because he believes it gives the team time to focus on areas of the game that might get overlooked during season.
"We're going to address some things that kind of get bypassed: physical conditioning, flexibility, more attention to the mental game and attitude and the program culture," Lubahn said. "All those things great programs have."
Lubahn already has high hopes for his team for the return to play in February.
"We need to compete week in and week out and be in contention," Lubahn said. "We can't take care of the national rankings and an NCAA bid, the only thing we can worry about is getting the ball in the hole. If we do that, we should be in contention for a post-season bid and the MAC Championships."
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