USC men’s coach sees depth, talent on this year’s squad
South Carolina’s men’s golf team struggled to find consistency last season and “frustrating” became a familiar word in coach Bill McDonald’s post-tournament critiques. “We’re so close,” he said often in a year that ended with the Gamecocks in seventh place in an NCAA regional and failing to earn a spot in the national championship tourney.
The 2018-19 campaign will be different, McDonald predicted, and he says the squad that opened the schedule this weekend has “the most quality depth in my 13 seasons” at USC.
Indeed, McDonald’s starters included freshmen Ryan Hall and Harry Corbin and a third first-year player, Teddy Tetak, played as an individual. Seniors Scott Stevens and Will Miles and junior Caleb Proveaux completed the first-tournament lineup.
“All 10 of our guys could start and contribute, and they probably will,” McDonald said. “Our qualifying (five rounds) was extremely competitive. They’re going to push each other, and they’re all going to get opportunities.”
The search for the “right combination” began in the Carpet Capital Collegiate in Rocky Face, Ga., that ends today. There will be no rest; the Gamecocks will play Sept. 14-16 in the Fighting Illini Invitational in Chicago. Appearances in the Jack Nicklaus Invitational at Muirfield Village, the Tavistock Collegiate in Florida and a tournament in Hawaii follow.
“We have an unbelievable fall schedule, and we’ll be tested,” McDonald said. “But I’m excited about the possibilities. The freshmen are extremely talented, and our returning players have a lot of experience.”
Stevens, who ranks third on the program’s career scoring list, headlines the squad. “We know what to expect from him,” McDonald said. “What’s exciting to me is our depth.”
Jamie Wilson, who played in seven tournaments a year ago, fell short of qualifying for the first tournament by one stroke. Ryan Stachler, who missed most of last season after undergoing hip surgery, qualified for the 2016 and this summer’s U.S. Amateur. Andrew Spiegler played in eight tournaments last year as a freshman.
“We have a nice blend of youth and experience,” McDonald said. “We know the young players will have some ups and downs in adjusting to college life and college competition, but they are extremely talented. There’s no doubt the freshmen are the best recruiting class we’ve had in my tenure at Carolina.”
Both Hall and Tetak advanced to match play in the 2017 U.S. Junior Amateur. Corbin’s triumphs in the junior ranks include one against professionals in a mini-tour event.
In looking back to 2017-18, McDonald noted the team’s lack of consistency “put a lot of pressure” on Stevens and now-graduated Keenan Huskey, No. 2 on the Gamecocks’ career scoring list.
“We jelled some, had some brief moments of playing really well,” he said. “But we didn’t maintain that level. Even though we lost Keenan, one of our best ever, to graduation, the combination of youth and experience will make us a better team. I’m excited.”
Chip shots. Clemson’s men also opened their season in the Carpet Capital Collegiate. USC’s women begin play Sept. 17 in the Annika Intercollegiate in Minnesota. The Clemson women start Sept. 21 in the Mason Rudolph in Tennessee. . . . Former Lexington High and Clemson standout Sydney Legacy advanced to the second stage of the Symetra Tour’s qualifying school in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Others with state connections who finished in the top 125 include Taylor Totland (Furman), Alice Chen (Furman), Mary Hillow (USC/College of Charleston) and Alice Hewson (Clemson). . . . USC golfer Lois Kaye Go helped her home nation, the Philippines, win the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. She finished 17th in individual competition and joined her teammates to earn the team title.