Wake Forest Athletics
Men's Golf Spring Outlook
1/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Jan. 24, 2004
An often-used cliche' by coaches of any sport -- "We're not rebuilding; we're reloading" -- could easily apply to the Wake Forest golf team in 2003-04. Yes, the Demon Deacons graduated four players who led WFU to a fourth-place showing in the NCAAs as well as 12 top five finishes in 2002-03. But this season, the Deacs' young lineup includes the nation's top-ranked player, a swiftly-rising sophomore, and some talented newcomers who have already made an impact -- a mix which should keep WFU among the nation's elite this spring and build a nucleus for seasons to come.
"Some people have overlooked us because we graduated the four seniors last year," Wake Forest head coach Jerry Haas said. "But I think when we're playing well, we can play with any team in the country."
The Lineup
A look at the Deacon lineup starts at the top -- which is where No. 1-ranked Bill Haas -- the squad's lone senior -- finished the fall season and enters the spring campaign, according to the Golfweek/Sagarin national ratings. A two-time first-team All-American and reigning ACC Player of the Year, Haas has already won two events in the 2003-04 season -- the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate in the season opener and the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate.
Haas' seven career collegiate titles are just one shy of Curtis Strange's eight wins from 1974-76 and Gary Hallberg's school-record nine victories from 1977-80. He entered the season tied with his father, Jay, and Lanny Wadkins, who each had five individual titles during their days at Wake Forest.
Haas brings an incredible amount of momentum into the spring, with two impressive streaks carrying over from the fall. He has posted six straight rounds equal or under par as well as a school-record five straight rounds in the 60s over the last two fall tournaments. In the final event of the fall season -- the Jerry Pate -- Haas shot a blistering 63-66-66, winning the event with an 18-under 195 on the par-71 course at Old Overton Club in Birmingham, Ala. His fall stroke average was a 68.55 and 82 percent of his rounds were par or better.
Head coach Jerry Haas, Bill's uncle, is obviously pleased with his nephew and star player, but not only because of his abilities on the course.
"Bill has developed into an outstanding player and person," Haas said. "He is someone I feel has given a lot to Wake Forest by fulfilling his commitment of four years and achieving his goal of graduating. It was a big step for him to come back, and he realizes it was the right thing to do. Every day he's improving and becoming a better player."
Sophomore Kyle Reifers has solidified his position as the Deacons' No. 2 player and is already exhibiting strong play this season. Reifers gained great experience as a rookie last year, seeing action in seven events, including the ACC Championship. This fall, he competed in all five events, compiling a 72.09 stroke average and shooting par or better nearly 50 percent of the time.
Reifers was the team's top finisher at The Preview, carding a one-over 141 and a career-best fifth-place showing at The Homestead, site of the 2004 NCAA Championships. He recorded a career-low 66 in the second round of the Jerry Pate en route to a six-under 207 and a tie for 14th place.
"I have never been more pleased with the development of a player and a person as I have with Kyle," Haas said. "He has emerged as a reliable and consistent player. He possesses all the tools and desire to succeed at this difficult game."
A pair of freshmen -- Sean Moore and Chad Wilcox -- quickly found themselves in the Deacon lineup, seeing action in every event of the fall season.
Moore, a North Carolina native from Marshville, compiled a 74.54 stroke average and counted 88 percent of his rounds toward team totals. His low round of the fall, a 68, took place at the Jerry Pate National.
"Sean is one of the most talented young players I've ever come across," Haas said. "He has a real ability to be an excellent ball-striker, and, with added maturity to his game, will be an outstanding Demon Deacon."
Wilcox wasn't too far behind his classmate -- the Peoria, Ariz. product averaged 75.36 strokes per round and counted 82 percent of his scores for the team.
"Chad is very explosive on the course," Haas explained. "He makes tons of birdies and eagles. Once he figures out how to eliminate the bad holes he will be capable of winning any tournament he enters."
Moore and Wilcox were the only Deacons to post victories at the Collegiate Matchplay Championship. Wilcox defeated his opponent from Oklahoma State, while Moore picked up a win against UCLA.
While the quartet of Haas, Reifers, Moore and Wilcox saw action in every fall tournament, Coach Haas tinkered with the No. 5 spot in the lineup, allowing every other member of the team to see action in at least one event.
Junior Doug Manchester played in two tournaments -- the Bank of Tennessee (as an individual) and the Carpet Capital Classic -- in addition to playing one match in the Collegiate Matchplay Championship. Manchester, who hails from La Jolla, Calif., closed out tournament play on a positive note, carding a season-low 74 in the final round of the Carpet Capital.
"Doug is probably one of the most improved players on the team," Haas said. "He has dedicated himself more to golf over the past year and that has started to pay dividends."
Sophomore Alex Yates is a local product from Winston-Salem. He was in the Deacon lineup for the season opener, The Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate, tying his career low of 77 in the final round. Haas believes Yates will be able to contribute more down the road with continued development.
"Alex is one of the nicest people on the team who will develop into an excellent player. He is very reliable and dependable," he said.
Another sophomore, Barr Blanton, is a relative newcomer to the Deacon squad, having joined the team as a walk-on last spring. Coming from Louisville, Ky., Blanton made his collegiate debut in a challenging environment -- The Preview at The Homestead -- and shot a very respectable 74 in the second round before the tournament was halted due to inclement weather. He also saw action in the Collegiate Matchplay event against Oklahoma State.
"Barr is easily the most appreciative and one of the hardest-working players on the team," Haas said.
Freshman Matt McLean is the third newcomer to the team in 2003-04. Coming from Miami, Fla., McLean competed in one event, the Jerry Pate National, carding a low round of 77 on the opening 18. He is another talented young player who is expected to contribute over the next few years.
"Matt is capable of having a great overall game," Haas said. "Once he makes all the adjustments to college life, he will be an outstanding golfer."
The Schedule
The fall season -- a challenge in itself -- was good preparation for the level of competition the Deacs will face this spring. WFU will open the season in Tucson, Ariz. at the PING-Arizona Intercollegiate (Feb. 2-3), an event in which it placed fifth a year ago. The Deacons will look to defend their titles at the Tulane Invitational (Feb. 9-10) and The Schenkel E-Z-Go (March 20-21). Wake will also return to the Cleveland Golf/Augusta State Invitational (April 3-4) and The Intercollegiate (April 9-10), looking to improve upon third and fourth-place finishes from those events last season.
New stops on the 2004 spring schedule include the Coastal Carolina Invitational (March 8-9) in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the Toyota Collegiate (March 12-14) in Las Vegas, Nev.
The ACC Championships return to Old North State Club for the third straight year, and Wake Forest, runners-up to eventual national champion Clemson by just one stroke in 2003, should be a strong contender for the conference title.
NCAA Regionals (May 20-22) serve as the final tune-up for the national championships, which take place at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., June 1-4. Despite the youthfulness of this year's Deacon squad, Haas is confident his team will be ready for post-season play.
"I'm very excited about the upcoming spring season. With each and every tournament in which our young players participate, we become a better team. If there is any letup from Bill and Kyle as our No. 1 and 2 guys, the younger players are right there, ready to challenge them."
Players Mentioned
