The 2010 BYU men’s golf team is ready for action this spring after a solid fall campaign. The Cougars will rely on a healthy mix of upperclassmen and younger players to achieve success in a competitive collegiate golf landscape.
“I’m pretty exited about this season,” said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. “Our chemistry is strong, and we showed a lot of improvement as the fall progressed. Hopefully, we can keep some of that momentum going and come in with confidence.”
The Cougars did indeed improve throughout the fall, culminating in a second-place finish at the Pacific Invitational, just one shot off the lead. Three different BYU golfers led the team in its four fall tournaments, showcasing a variety of depth and experience. That balance between young and old, experienced and novice, will be key for the Cougars this season as they look to make their move in the Mountain West Conference and on the national stage.
“There are so many variables in golf,” said Brockbank. “It’s easy to throw it on the seniors, and they definitely have to do well for us to be successful, but the other guys have to step up and play well too. There’s five guys out on the course and four scores that count so if one is mediocre, we’re going to be average.”
Brockbank will be looking for improved consistency and performance from that crucial fourth score, which is often the difference between placing at the top of the field or in the middle of the pack.
“The fourth score can really hold you back,” he said. “We want to make sure our fourth score is a 72 instead of a 75 or a 76. It’s a combination of everyone. The top guys have to come out and shoot a big score, and then the other guys will follow along.”
Two seniors will be counted on to lead the way for BYU and produce the big scores needed to get the Cougars going. Brady Johnson and Robbie Fillmore have both enjoyed successful careers thus far and will be looking to end their respective BYU tenures in style. Johnson posted six top-20 finishes during the 2008-09 campaign and two in the fall. He also continued to lead the team in stroke average over the four fall tournaments, as he did as a junior. Fillmore was second on the team in stroke average both last year and this fall while adding two top-20 finishes to the seven he had last season. The powerhouse duo will be instrumental in leading the Cougars both on the course and off it.
“We’ll definitely be relying on our seniors, Brady and Robbie,” said Brockbank. “They’re both great kids and great students who work hard. We’ll need them to be a little more consistent so our younger guys can lean on them. In order for the team to do well, Brady and Robbie have to keep finding a way to get out there and shoot those low scores.”
Junior Esteban Calisto will also figure heavily into the mix after a solid fall showing and posting the fourth-best stroke average for the Cougars last season.
Of course, there are several younger players that have already shown they can step up in big moments. Sophomore Jordan Rodgers had the third-best stroke average on the team in the fall after a freshman campaign that saw him compile two top-20 finishes. Freshman Zac Blair led the Cougars at the Baylor Intercollegiate, announcing his presence on the BYU golf scene. The addition of fellow freshmen Alton Anderson, Tommy Higham and Preston Alder along with returning sophomore Daniel Reid gives BYU a strong core both now and in the future.
“There are a lot of guys that are really working hard,” said Brockbank. “We have a lot of depth this year, and all of our golfers have showed signs of improvement. It’s great when you have six or seven guys competing all the time. It makes for a healthy environment on the team.”
Through consistent tournament performances and relying on both experience and fresh faces, the team hopes to make it to the postseason and play in the NCAA Regionals and beyond.
“Golf always comes down to the basics, making a few putts and being consistent in the short game,” said Brockbank. “I think we’re tougher mentally this year, and our expectations are pretty high. I expect us to go and compete well wherever and whenever we play. Hopefully everyone will pay the price to be successful.”