The Virginia golf team opened their season last weekend at the Puerto Rico Classic, which concluded last Tuesday. Competing against a tough field, the Cavaliers finished in a disappointing tie for 13th place with Kent State and Northwestern by shooting a 49-over 913.
Senior Steve Marino led the Cavaliers with a 7-over 223, tying for 37th overall. Sophomore Jeremy Luce finished 54th shooting a 13-over 229. Junior Justin Goodhue tied for 56th with a 15-under 231.
"It was a disappointing tournament, but we should have a good spring season," Goodhue said. "We have a lot of talent, we just haven't gotten it together yet. Hopefully, we'll be able to improve."
Georgia Tech ran away from the field of 15 shooting a 35-under 829, overtaking second place Clemson by an impressive 15 strokes. Georgia Tech's Troy Matteson came in first place with an 11-under 205. Purdue's Lee Williamson finished two strokes behind Matteson with a 9-under 207, and Georgia Tech's Nicholas Thompson shot a 6-under 210 for a third place finish.
Though the Cavs had a frustrating finish in their season opener, coach Mike Moraghan said he feels the tournament was a great opportunity for his team.
"It's wonderful for us to be able to go to a climate like that in February, and the competition is great," Moraghan said. "Georgia Tech is No. 1 in the country, and Florida is last year's defending champion. It's a great trip to make."
Moraghan said he believes his team could have played better had they been better prepared.
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"We don't really have the chance to practice or play because a lot of the guys have midterms." Moraghan said. "I think we'll know a lot more about where we are after Spring Break."
Despite Coach Moraghan's obvious disappointment in his team's performance at the tournament, he is oppomistic about the upcoming season, specifically the Seminole Intercollegiate Tournament in Tallahassee, Fla., during Spring Break.
"With golf, things can change quickly," Moraghan said. "We can go to Tallahassee and win quickly. Puerto Rico was just one event where we just didn't finish very well.
"We have the Tallahassee tournament coming up over Spring Break, which we won last year, and then we have a tournament in Charlotte that we haven't been to before, but I think we can do well in both of those and get back on track," he added.
The Virginia golf team will need the experience of captain Marino to guide them to a successful season.
Moraghan believes Marino has the talent to continue on to the professional level.
"He's very streaky, very hot and cold, but that's the kind of guy that can do well in a PGA tournament." Moraghan said, "He's won at every level, so there's no reason to believe he won't win in the pros."
Marino is the defending champion in the Cavs' tournament next week in Tallahassee.
Goodhue and Luce will also be expected at the top of the leader board in next week's tournament.
The Cavaliers return to competition at the Seminole Collegiate March 11-12.
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