Sept. 12, 2011
Probably one of the more difficult things in sports is for a golf team to defend a tournament team title. The Lobos are at the Mark Simpson Invitational today and Tuesday looking to turn the difficult.
The Lobos only victory of 2010-11 came at the Simpson Invite. The Lobos threw out a course-scorching 12-under par over the second 18 holes last year and won the Simpson by a single stroke.
There is a big difference at this year’s Simpson being played at the Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, Colo. Gone from the UNM roster are graduated Lobos Travis Ross, Samuel Chavez and Tom Carlson. Lobo Coach Glen Millican is expecting a host of young Lobos to establish depth on this year’s squad, but he also needs some Lobos to come to the forefront and pace UNM on the scorecards.
Ross did that last year finishing second in the Mountain West tourney. He also was runner-up at the 2010 Simpson. Ross, an All-MWC player a year ago, birdied the final hole at the Simpson to help him finish high in that field.
“We have a lot of new faces, but there are a lot of good golfers on this year’s team,” said Millican. “It’s always tough to defend a title because of all the variables in golf, but we go into every tournament expecting to play well and win it.”
The Lobos’ opening win at the Simpson in 2010 showed the Lobos’ potential to shoot brilliant golf. It was Millican’s 16th tourney win as the Lobo coach. One of Millican’s disappointments in 2010 was that team losing the momentum and being plagued by inconsistent golf throughout the season.
Millican is looking to development consistency this fall and carry that important aspect of golf into the all-important spring season that features the MWC tourney and possible postseason play.
The Lobos’ roster in 2011-12 includes the 2011 Albuquerque City Men’s Amateur champion — and the runner-up. Alex Estrada won that crown this summer edging out Lobo teammate Sam Saunders.
The Lobos second tournament this fall is the Sept. 25-27 Golf Week Conference Challenge to be played at the Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington, Iowa. UNM also will host the William H. Tucker at the UNM Championship Course Sept. 30 to Oct. 1.
This season’s Mountain West Championships will be played May 4-6 at the Tucson National Golf Club.