When the Virginia men's golf season tees off Saturday in Indianapolis, Ind, junior Conrad Von Borsig will be the team's new captain. It will be the first time in coach Bowen Sargent's tenure at Virginia that a junior will lead the team on the course.
"He does things like you're supposed to, making him a perfect role model for the team," Bowen said. "He spends every waking moment either at the golf course or studying."
At Strath Haven High School in Pennsylvania, Von Borsig garnered numerous team, district and state honors, including the 2005 Delaware County Player of the Year award. He was also named the team's MVP four times and captained the team as a senior.
Individually, Von Borsig finished second at the Pennsylvania State Championship as a junior and placed in the top 10 at four national American Junior Golf Association tournaments. His focus and work ethic in the transition to collegiate play allowed him to further hone his talent to a point where he is able to compete at a Division I level.
"He came in an unheralded player, and he's really developed with hard work and dedication," Bowen said.
As a freshman, Von Borsig shot a team-low 213 at the Tournament of Champions, his first collegiate tournament. His best finish of the 2005-2006 season came at the Mason Randolph Intercollegiate tournament, where he turned in a one-over-par 217 and earned 15th place.
Last season, Von Borsig finished the year with a 73.67 stroke average -- the lowest on the team -- and was the top finisher in six of the 10 tournaments in which the team competed. He also posted the lowest single round score, a 68 at The Ridges last October, and paced the squad to its second-best finish against par at the Augusta State Invitational, shooting an even-par 216.
He was named to the first All-ACC golf team and All-ACC academic team last season, Bowen said.
In his new role as captain, Van Borsig will seek to continue developing his golf game while balancing the challenges of leading his team.
"For sure, my main goal this year is to be an All-American," Von Borsig said. "I'd also like to win a college tournament and help our team win as many tournaments as possible."
Although the fundamental challenge in golf comes down to the single golfer and the differences in layout, distance, difficulty and terrain of each hole, Von Borsig does not want to lose sight of the team aspect of playing for Virginia.
One example of his commitment to the team is his attention to the three freshman joining the team this fall.
"The focus level and skill level have gone up a lot from high school to U.Va.," Von Borsig said. "I want to quicken the learning curve with our younger players so they can contribute more to the team in a shorter time."
The goals Von Borsig has set for himself and the team will demand the work ethic and determination he has shown during his first two years, as Virginia finished ninth at last year's ACC Championships. Von Borsig, however, remains optimistic.
"I have a feeling this will be our best year," Von Borsig said. "I feel like everyone has the same goal: to win a national championship"
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 3 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | YesterdayThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
