April 12, 2005

The University of North Carolina men's golf team will look to bounce back from a spring season tainted by inclement weather as they head into this weekend's ACC Championship at the Old North State Club in New London, N.C. The Tar Heels have not played in a tournament without rain since the Seminole Intercollegiate, their first tournament of the spring. Carolina finished the Seminole in fourth place among 12 teams. Adverse conditions, however, left the team with disappointing finishes in the next four tournaments.

"It's been a little bit of a struggle for us this spring," says head coach John Inman. We had a lot of confidence this fall. But, we've fell on hard times a little bit. We just have to reevaluate and focus a little more."

While the wet weather has led to major swing adjustments by the players, head coach John Inman notes that there's another factor that's even more important in bad conditions.

"A lot of the adjustment that you make when you play in adverse weather is mental," says Inman. "That's the thing that we haven't handled as well as we could have. By being more positive and fighting through the adversity, weather can be overcome."

Mental toughness has been the team's focus this spring and Doug Kingston has met the challenge. Until this spring, Kingston, a senior from Bethlehem, Pa., had only counted one score for the Tar Heels in the 2003 Duke Golf Classic. Since the beginning of March he has counted three scores for North Carolina, including a team-leading tie for 12th at this year's Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational.

"Doug has really persevered and worked on his game," says coach Inman. "He trusts himself a lot more this spring and he doesn't get in his own way, which is what he had done before. Now he's staying out of his own way and letting all of his talent shine."

Junior Ted Smith, from Westlake, Ohio, has also broken through this spring. Smith has finished in the top three for the Tar Heels in all five tournaments. He struggled this fall and didn't get a chance to play, but has bounced back and been a leader for the team by playing consistent golf.

Carolina's top golfer in the fall, Martin Ureta, has not met expectations this spring. Touted as one of the top golfers in the country, Ureta has not finished in the top 10 since the Heels saw their only good weather of the season at the Seminole Intercollegiate.

"Ups and downs are the way golf is. You can't be hot all the time unless you're Tiger Woods," says Inman. "Everyone goes through stages in their golf game when they're not playing that well.

"Martin always has the drive and desire to be the number one golfer in the country. He just realizes that he can't let his guard down. He has to be vigilant with his focus for him to play at the level that he did in the fall."

Ureta will have the chance to give the Old North State another try this year after a disappointing disqualification at last year's ACC Championship. Ureta would have counted a 68 in the first round of play to finish in the top five if he had not moved a stake that resulted in his disqualification.

The Old North State Club is a very comfortable course for North Carolina. The course is designed by Tom Fazio, the same designer of Finley Golf Course, and will pose familiar greens and similar looks from the tee-box for the Tar Heels.

"Our guys really like that golf course," says Inman. "It's a wonderful venue and we're so lucky to be playing there. Everyone is excited about the weekend."

There's a 20 percent chance of rain in New London this weekend and if the weather holds out, the Tar Heels could contend for a top spot in this year's ACC Championship.