UNF sophomore Sean Dale’s tournament record performance led UNF to a second place finish in front of several of the nation’s top ranked programs at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate Sept. 9.
Dale, who earned All-Freshmen SEC honors at Ole Miss in 2009, set the record for the highest overall score at the
Wolf Run Intercollegiate since its inception in 2006 by shooting an 11-under 202. UNF finished in second behind the University of Illinois in the team standings, after finishing 11th in 2008.
“All five guys showed significant improvement against some tough competition,” UNF men’s golf Head Coach Scott Schroeder said. “The course played differently from last year. Last year it was extremely wet and soft, and this year the course played dry and fast.”
UNF finished 13 strokes behind the University of Illinois who were named the 14th best college team in the country by Golfweek in May. However, UNF placed in front of several top 50 teams including Indiana, Michigan, UCF, Louisville and
Kentucky. UNF finished the 2009 season with a 70th place ranking in the Golfweek poles. However, UNF also received a vote in the Nike rankings for September, but placed outside the top 25.
Dale’s 202 broke the previous tournament record of 210 and was one point higher than University of Illinois golfer Scott Langely. Langely was ranked as the 23rd best college golfer in the country by Golfweek in May.
“Scott Langely is an amazing golfer,” Schroeder said. “Sean did a great job competing against some very tough competition.”
UNF golfers senior J.C. Horne and sophomore Kevin Aylwin both participated in the Wolf Run tournament in 2008 and bettered or tied their scores in 2009. Aylwin finished with a 224 this year after finishing with a 242 in 2008, while Horne scored a 222 both years.
“Our expectations for this year are very high,” Schroeder said. “If we aren’t one of the 30 teams to make the NCAA Finals we will consider it a disappointing year.”
UNF improved from 11th place overall finish at the Wolf Run in 2008 in their first appearance at the tournament. When asked whether or not he saw the tournament as a good preview for what to expect from his team this season, Coach Schroeder said he was hesitant to look ahead.
“Each event has to be approached separately,” Schroeder said. “We’re going to have ups and downs every season, so it’s important for us to not look ahead and get distracted from our goals.”
