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Golf 2008 Season Outlook

The Wilmington University golf team started the 2007-2008 season with a few impressive finishes and a rare individual feat. In the fourth year of building the program, this season, the squad appears to be ripe for a breakout campaign.

Returning this year are seniors, captain Lorne Shannon (William Penn/New Castle, DE) and Blake Blackmon (Glasgow/Newark, DE), who both are looking to finish strong in the 2008 season to end their college careers. The Wildcats are looking towards captain John Purple, Jr. (Cape Henlopen/Rehoboth, DE), Mark Murphy (Salesianum/Wilmington, DE), and Jason Bradford (Sussex Tech/Georgetown, DE), all juniors to help lead the charge in the 2008 season. Sophomore Matt Hall (Dover/Townsend, DE) is bringing experience to the course and freshmen Earl Cooper (A.I. DuPont/Wilmington, DE) and Kevin Rentz (Concord/Wilmington, DE) are looking to contribute in the hopeful season ahead.

The Wildcats began the fall with an outstanding showing at the Goldey-Beacom College Invitational at Hartefeld National Golf Course. The squad finished first out of nine teams to capture the tournament title. Junior Mark Murphy secured the medalist honor, with his two-round total of 145, including a blistering 70 in the opening round. Senior Lorne Shannon placed third, carding a 149 (75-74) for the ‘Cats.

Wilmington then moved onto the Wesley College Invitational, held at Wild Quail Golf and Country Club. There, the Wildcats finished seventh out of 13 teams. The following weekend, the squad traveled up to Long Island, New York to take place in the Dowling College Shootout. Wilmington again finished seventh, this time out of 16 teams. The ‘Cats finished first among Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) schools and fourth among programs in the northeast region. Leading the way for the Wildcats, was junior John Purple, Jr., who shot a two day total of 156 (79-77).

The solid play was a precursor to perhaps their best showing of the season, at the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships, held at Drumlins Country Club in Syracuse, New York. There, Wilmington placed fifth out of 21 teams. Junior Vince Nardo, carded a 148 (77-71), good enough for 18th place.

As well as the team performed during the tournament, a freshman’s single shot might have overshadowed the whole fall season. Rookie Earl Cooper, sunk a double eagle during the second round on the par 5, 13th hole at Drumlins. To put this amazing feat into perspective, according to the United States Golf Association (USGA), there are approximately 40,000 holes-in-one made each year, compared to only a couple hundred double eagles. The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour averages only a few a year. Cooper’s incredible shot helped the Wildcats set a final-round, low-scoring record of 291.

Once again, Wilmington will host the CACC Tournament in April (13-15) at Frog Hollow Golf Club in Middletown, Delaware. Beginning Sunday, May 4, 2008, the Wildcats will become the first school in conference history to host a NCAA Division II Regional Championship, as the links at Back Creek become the home of Northeast Regional Tournament.

Head Coach Harry Jennings and Assistant Coach Bill Bush, have extremely high expectations for the Wildcats this coming spring, and based on their start this fall, it is easy to see why this special group of young men should be among the favorites to capture the CACC crown in mid-April.