Kris Shane and Nicolas Jutigny have been golfing together for four years.
They both started playing golf around age nine, are both marketing majors, were born in the same year and both live on golf courses.
However, their games are very different.
“I hardly ever lose golf balls,” said Shane. “My accuracy is definitely the strongest part of my game.”
“I’m the complete opposite,” said Jutigny. “If I had to say I had a strength, I’d say it would be my long iron game. I think it’s a European thing.” Jutigny resides in Bossey, France.
The University of Tampa golf team has certainly had its ups and downs this season, placing in the top-two in three of ten events, but placing in the bottom half of the remaining seven tournaments.
Most recently, the team placed second of 17 teams in the North Alabama Invitational March 28-29. Then, a week later they placed 9th of 12 in the Barry Invitational.
“The North Alabama Invitational was probably our best performance since I’ve been here,” said Shane.
Shane’s teammate also had some thoughts on how the golf team was able to succeed in Alabama.
“Sometimes the whole team is able to click,” said Jutigny. “We played great as a team, except for the last few holes. The course can be hard, if you make it hard for yourselves.”
UT was able to beat many northern schools, including several ranked universities such as Northern Kentucky. The only team ahead of UT was the host and winner, North Alabama.
The Barry Invitational didn’t go as smoothly for the Spartans.
Putting it simply, “No one finished well,” said Shane, who shot a seven over par at the invitational. As a team, UT shot a 901; 49 over par and 47 over Barry University’s winning score. The Spartans will have to shake that performance off as they look toward the SSC Championships in Boca Raton April 18-19.
“As seniors, we’re excited to play well and compete in our last major tournament of our college careers,” said Jutigny.
The team hopes to finish the 2011 season on a good note next week at the SSC Championships.
John Hilsenroth can be reached at jhilsenroth@spartans.ut.edu.