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 WCU head coach Johnny Wike enters his 15th season as the Catamount golf coach and 31st overall at Western. |
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Aug. 20, 2003
Cullowhee, N.C. - Some may view last season as a disappointing season for the Western Carolina men's golf team. However, head coach Johnny Wike will take many positives from the 2002-03 campaign, including the return of seven players, and, with a host of new talent, feels 2003-04 will be an exciting season.
"Last year was a struggle, losing our top two returnees," Wike said. "But we had seven guys go out and battle. They each had good moments and bad moments, but they always kept battling. I am optimistic their experiences with those struggles will make them better players this year."
Leading the way in 2003-04 will be seniors Gorham Bradley and Tim Eckberg. Bradley enters his fourth season at Cullowhee and has seen his level of play improve each season. The Spring Hope, N.C., native has continued to improve over the summer, shooting around par consistently at top-notch golf courses. Eckberg, who came to WCU from Illinois Valley Junior College, led the Cats in scoring average last season (77.18) and played in nine of the team's 10 events, the most of any Catamount in 2002-03.
"I am hoping to have good leadership from our seniors," Wike said. "Gorham and Tim have both been very dedicated this summer and hopefully will be a positive influence on the team this season."
Also back are juniors Ryan Barry and Chase Kress, as well as sophomores Matt Flueckiger, Keith Tyburski and Blake Wray. Barry just trailed Eckberg as the team scoring leader, averaging 77.67 strokes per round. He fired a career-low 71 at the Lenoir-Rhyne Intercollegiate, leading to one of his three top 15 finishes on the season. Kress ranked second on the team in scoring average as a freshman, but saw his scoring average jump up nearly a stroke per round as a sophomore. However, he is on pace to finish as one of WCU's all-time leaders in scoring average and "can shoot in the low 60's on any given day" according to Wike.
Flueckiger made the team as a walk-on last season and went on to play in eight of the team's 10 events. Tyburski was a late addition to the squad, transferring from Coastal Carolina in January. However, he played in all five events in the spring and was the team's second-highest finisher in the final two events of the year. Wray finished third on the team in scoring last season (78.13) and was WCU's top finisher at the Belmont Invitational.
"I am excited about our returning seven players," Wike said. "I don't know how good we will be this year, but we will be heading in the right direction."
Joining the seven returning players will be five recruited freshmen and three walkons. Headlining the list are local products Michael Cope (Brevard) and Tripp Morrow (Forest City). Cope is a four-time all-conference selection and a three-time Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina pick. Morrow, a three time All-State pick, has won numerous Western North Carolina Junior Golf Association titles, including one this past July at Maggie Valley. Chris Roehrkasse (Colorado Springs, Col.) was a late recruit, but he will be one to watch as a possible impact player. Alex Arrigo (Lowville, N.Y.) and Matt Collings (Newton, N.C.) will give Western much needed depth. Wike will also welcome sophomore Matt Cable (Murphy, N.C.) and freshman Steven Carter (Hayesville, N.C.) to the team.
Western will play four fall events in 2003, opening Sept. 27-28 at the annual Elon/Sea Trail Intercollegiate, played at Sunset Beach, S.C. The Cats will also compete at the annual Chattanooga Fall Classic (Oct. 13-14) and the Lipscomb/Temple Hills Intercollegiate (Oct. 27-28) before wrapping up the season by hosting the WCU-Sapphire Valley Intercollegiate. The Catamounts will field an eight-team tournament on Nov. 10-11 at the Country Club of Sapphire in Cashiers.
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