by Matt Paulson
Staff Writer
After capping off a successful 2001 season with a disappointing finish at the national tournament, the University of La Verne golf team is looking at promising chances of improving its finish in 2002.
“We had a very good team last year, the best we’ve ever had,” said head coach Rex Huigens.
In 2001, freshman SCIAC Player of the Year and All-American Joe Skovron led the Leopards with a conference scoring average of less than one stroke above par, while setting an individual scoring record along the way.
Freshman Joey Murray deepened the teams talent by occupying the second spot on the squad. In his first year, Murray secured a selection as first team all-SCIAC.
Sophomore Mario Dicarlo also contributed to the success of the team on his way to earning second team all-conference.
These three, among others, combined to give the Leopards a substantial chance at the national tournament in 2001. The Leos struggled to a dissatisfying 16th place finish.
“None of us played up to our potential,” Skovron said.
Huigens echoed this sentiment by saying he was ” little disappointed at how we did at the nationals.” Huigens believes that the squad this year seems to have potential for a little more depth.
Now sophomores, Skovron and Murray look to continue as the top two positions on the team in 2002. Skovron, who is a former Division I scholarship player at UC Santa Barbara describes this year’s team as “a great group of guys.” Skovron has potential to improve upon his 2001 scoring average, thus, bringing it to par or better.
“I think, for earlier in the year, we’ve had a couple of good surprises. We have the potential to be as good, if not better, than last year,” said Skovron.
Murray, according to Huigens, has definite capabilities of going under par.
Once again, just behind Skovron and Murray is Dicarlo. Now in his junior year, Dicarlo brings not only talent but also experience to the squad.
Tom Reese is another returner to this year’s squad.
“(Reese) has worked on his game and is playing very well this year,” said Huigens.
ULV will also benefit from two high quality recruits in Andrew Garcia out of Bishop Amat High School who Huigens describes as “a very good player with a great attitude,” and Mario Garcia from Corona Centennial High School.
“This year’s team is a great group of guys. They all seem to be working hard to become good players,” said Huigens. “I could not be happier about the chemistry of the team. It should be an easy year in that respect.”
According to Huigens, the Leopards have formidable opponents in repeating last year’s success in conference. “Pomona and Cal Lu will be pretty good, but I think to win the conference, we’ll have to beat Redlands and Claremont.”
Huigens and his squad will vie for a return trip to the national tournament in 2002 at the difficult Sierra La Verne Country Club, ULV’s home course. Their next match up will be Tuesday, at River Ridge Golf Course against Cal Lutheran at 12:30p.m.
