USC men’s golf ahead of expectations under new coach but with a ways to go
Rob Bradley spent his first few months in charge of the South Carolina men’s golf program on the go — going here, there and everywhere recruiting, fund-raising and coaching.
A man in a hurry to find success, the self-proclaimed “competitive guy” wasted no time and left no stone unturned in his quest to reverse the Gamecocks’ fortunes.
So far, so good.
Or, in his words, “I was very pleased with the fall.”
Define “pleased” this way: The team that placed No. 58 in last season’s final rankings played four fall tournaments with finishes of 3, 3, 2 and 5, and will start the spring campaign next month ranked No. 18.
University officials parted ways with long-time coach Bill McDonald after the program slipped from its pinnacle — fifth in the 2016 national tournament — to struggling to earn a place in postseason events in recent years.
Bradley arrived from Purdue, blended some veterans with a couple of newcomers and said: “We’re ahead of expectations, but we’re not where we want to be. It’s easy in college golf to look ahead, and our focus has to be prepared and competitive every time we tee it up.”
Playing in the SEC demands that. Although ranked No. 18, the Gamecocks are behind five league rivals in the poll and just ahead of five more.
Bradley could build around senior Nathan Franks and juniors Frankie Harris and Zach Adams. Into the mix came sophomore Brock Blais, recruited out of the transfer portal by assistant coach Brady Gregor when USC was between head coaches, and freshman Marek Fleming, who had committed to Bradley at Purdue and followed the coach to Columbia.
“We have a lot of good players,” Bradley said. “Frankie Harris is really good and Zach Adams gets better and better every day. Brock Blais has been solid and Marek Fleming did a nice job in his last tournament. Nathan Franks didn’t have the fall he wanted, but he’s very promising for the spring.”
All five posted at least one top-20 finish. Harris had a pair of top-4s.
Given the Gamecocks’ recent struggles, the season “is a nice surprise,” Bradley said. “My expectations are to compete at a high level, and we’ve made a start” in that direction.
The spring schedule begins in Puerto Rico, then USC faces three challenging March events before the SEC championship and national tournaments. Focusing on those is the immediate goal, but long-range plans include upgrading facilities, and that led to his fund-raising efforts.
“We have a great practice facility, but we’re behind Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Vanderbilt and others overall,” Bradley said. “We don’t have a clubhouse. The guys have to keep their clubs in their cars or dorm rooms. Look on YouTube and see what Tennessee has.”
Indeed, the Vols’ facility — at 37 acres with an 8,300-square-foot clubhouse — looks like the Taj Mahal of college facilities. Alabama just opened one comparable.
To that end, he and Kalen Anderson, coach of the high-powered women’s team, “are trying to raise the funds and have something unique,” Bradley said. “But we’ve got a ways to go in funding. It’s a big challenge, a big expense.”
Initial plans call for a building on National Guard Road near the football facilities that would provide tailgating and entertainment opportunities for recruits during football season and still be close to the practice area.
“We need that” to compete in recruiting, Bradley said. “The new roster-size rules make recruiting more important than ever. You’re going to have to get really good players.”
Golf rosters are expected to be limited to eight players with no walk-ons under revised regulations.
With all the challenges, Bradley has been non-stop during his time at Carolina and, he said: “I’m absolutely loving it. I couldn’t ask for a better six months.”
Chip shots. Russell Glover came the 79th member of the South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame during Golf Day ceremonies at Columbia CC. Others honored: Stan Olenik, Charles Drawdy Distinguished Service Award; Mark Durishan, Rick Miller Volunteer of the Year Award; Geoff Block, Tom Fazio Service to Golf Award; and the Charleston Municipal Golf Course, SCGA Club of the Year. ... Doug Cottingham (Hopkins) and Dan Sullivan (Columbia) teamed to capture the SCGA’s 40 Plus Series event at Dataw Island Club at St. Helena Island.