Men's golf looks to tee-off on opponents in spring

Brad Mclaughlin / Reporter

The Elon men's golf team heads into the 2006 spring season confident and eager to get started.

The team returns this spring with its top player and team MVP last year  sophomore Jimmy Lytle. Lytle led the Phoenix with a 72.57 stroke average in the fall. Behind Lytle, are sophomore Lance "Putter" Johnson and senior Bennett Smith.

Smith has played in tournaments since the fall of his freshman year and has tried to be a leader for some of the younger players. He hopes to end his time at Elon on a high note.

"I think we can win the Southern Conference based on our performance in the fall," Smith said. "I would also like to win some tournaments myself because I came close last year, but if I could choose it would definitely be to win the Southern Conference tournament as a team. We have a great base with Jimmy Lytle, 'Putter' and sophomore Justin Newton."

Rounding out the team is senior Louis Rittberger and freshmen Chris Wirt, Chris Farnsworth and Jayson Judy. Judy, a stellar player, will miss the spring season due to shoulder surgery. The team also has four players who have not yet played in a tournament that will have to step up because of Judy's absence.

Head Coach Bill Morningstar is confident that the team can compete for a Southern Conference title.

"Every time we tee it up, we try to win," Morningstar said. "Although we are young, we are very talented and the expectations are there to win."

Morningstar also stressed the importance of the Southern Conference Tournament in April, a win in that tournament guarantees the Phoenix a spot in the NCAA tournament.

The Phoenix will face tough competition from Southern Conference foes UNC-G, Georgia Southern, Furman, College of Charleston and ETSU.

The Phoenix play six tournaments this spring. In March, the four Invitational tournaments are at Campbell, Marshall, Furman and East Carolina.

In April the team travels to Wofford for the last stop before the Southern Conference Tournament in Charleston, starting April 16.

Contact Brad Mclaughlin at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.