Freshman Spencer Levin, the No. 47 golfer in the country and the
highest-ranked player on the team, has been suspended indefinitely
by men’s head golf coach O.D. Vincent for unspecified
violations of team rules.Â
The suspension, levied Friday, comes as a severe blow to the
Bruins, who appeared to have found their “A game” going
into the spring season after winning two straight tournaments.
“One of the things Spencer needs to focus on is
academics,” Vincent said in a press release. “He
needs to make school a priority. If and when he gets his priorities
straight, he will be given an opportunity to return to the
team.”Â
According to UCLA Sports Information Director Rich Bertolucci,
the suspension is also the result of Levin’s conduct on the
golf course. However, neither the athletic department nor teammates
would comment on reasons other than academics.
Cal golfer Jeff Hood, who was paired with Levin in the Cleveland
Golf Classic last weekend, declined to comment about Levin’s
conduct during the tournament.
“I’m good friends with all the guys down there,
I’ve got nothing bad to say about any of them,” Hood
said.
“We are going to be at a disadvantage without
Spencer,” Vincent said. “We miss Spencer,
he’s a very likeable guy.”Â
The Bruins will most likely head into the Oregon Duck
Invitational in Eugene, Oregon at the end of March without
Levin.Â
“Spencer needs to build up the relationships he has with
his teammates,” Vincent said. “He will be
reinstated if the team unanimously votes him back onto the team.
It’s their decision.”
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Junior Steve Conway was named golfer of the week by Golf
World. Conway finished the Cleveland Golf Classic at six-under
par and beat two of the top 10 golfers in the country.
“It’s great for Steve,” Vincent
said. “I was very disappointed he wasn’t named
UCLA athlete of the week. It was the first individual title for a
Bruin in six years, and I thought it was significant enough to earn
him athlete of the week honors.”