Through their first two tournaments of the fall, it has been two disappointing last place finishes for the University of Tampa’s men’s golf team.
After kicking off their season with a 17th place finish at the Flagler Invitational in St. Augustine in September, the Spartans didn’t fare much better this past week at the North Alabama Invitational, coming in 14th.
Despite the rough start, there have been some bright spots for the young and rebuilding group of golfers, and sophomore Jason Steele is one of them. The Georgetown, Mass. product got off to the season with a hot start at the Flagler Invitational and followed it up with another solid effort in Alabama. Steele had a total score of 229 in the first tournament, including an impressive opening round of 73, while in the second tournament of the year, he lead all Spartans with a total score of 235 and a 47th overall finish.
Steele knows he and his teammates are capable of much more, but he does have hope for the remainder of the season.
“Obviously we aren’t very happy with the results but each of us has shot some decent rounds in the first two tournaments so we know we have the potential for some better finishes,” Steele said.
Another reason for hope thus far has been another sophomore from Massachusetts, Myles Wharram. Despite getting off to a shaky start to the season at Flagler, Wharram rebounded nicely with a score of 237 at the North Alabama Invitational including a strong third round of 76.
Wharram is taking the slow start of the team as a positive. “Our poor start inspires us to be better every day,” he said. Wharram also stressed the importance of not getting too flustered early on and not automatically changing everything about his game.
“Personally, I am just staying in the process that’s brought me past success which mainly includes working on swing fundamentals and always staying hungry to get better,” Wharram said.
Being a rebuilding year for men’s golf, it was expected there might be some early season struggles. Sophomores-turned-veterans such as Steele and Wharram, in addition to working on their own games, have had their eye the incoming freshmen on the team.
Chris Ryskamp, a freshman from Dallas, Texas, has already caught the eye of Wharram.
“Chris, without a doubt, has one of the best attitudes and personalities on and off the golf course, which helps establish a sense of team camaraderie,” Wharram said. “Many of our new players show plenty of talent and potential that will be showcased over their careers, and that is reason for excitement.”
Steele is also encouraged by the newcomers all the time and thinks they are a reason to be encouraged.
“There’s a bunch of solid newcomers,” Wharram said. “Johnny Singleton is a great player, and he’s playing in this next tournament with us.”
Singleton came to UT as a junior transfer from Tyler Junior College in Texas. Through his first two years at Tyler, Singleton had a 77.87 career scoring average.
The team will have two more chances to show some improvement and growth this semester. Following the Rollins Invitational on Oct. 28 and 29, the Spartans will close out the fall season at the Warner Invitational in Sebring on Nov. 3 and 4.
Josiah Kachelmeyer can be reached at josiah.kachelmeyer@spartans.ut.edu.