As spring sets in, the grass only gets greener for the No. 5 men’s golf team. The team travels north this weekend to the Pac-10 Men’s Golf Championships hosted by the University of Oregon.
Five-time winners, the men came in first at last year’s championships and are planning to do the same this season.
“Pac-10 is a goal we have set to repeat,” assistant coach Derek Freeman said.
Besides coming in first as a team at last year’s conference championships, UCLA also came in first in the individuals section when junior Daniel Im became the sixth Bruin to become a conference champion.
“He has the golf game to do it again; we fully expect him to defend his title,” Freeman said. “His putting is in great shape. He’s one of the best chippers and putters (in) the game, especially on our team.”
If anyone, Im has the experience of winning a postseason event.
“He understands it. He’s been there,” Freeman said.
Im’s scoring average per match this season is 74. Besides Im, the team has been fortunate enough to have contributions from some unexpected sources.
“(Freshman) Jason Kang has been a wonderful surprise,” Freeman said. “It’s never easy to come in and play like he has ““ very consistent, very deserving. We couldn’t be more happy and proud.”
Going into the tournament next week, Kang has averaged 73.8 per match.
Another member of the team who has contributed greatly is junior Kevin Chappell. He has managed not only to play well, but to simultaneously motivate his teammates to do better.
“He pretty much took the game to the next level and showed us that we have the chance to win the championship,” sophomore Lucas Lee said.
Chappell is ranked 16th in the nation and will participate in the US-Japan matches this June.
“You only get that (kind of) playing well in college,” Freeman said, “Kevin Chappell has had an outstanding year.”
With such experience and talent, the team expects to bring home a second consecutive Pac-10 Championship.
“One goal every week in tournaments is to win, (and) for that we do correct preparations so we (can) have the chance to win the last day,” Freeman said.
The men’s preparations have built up encouragement among the teammates and brought the mental coolness needed to be able to win next week.
“We’re pretty confident to go there and win,” Lee said. “We’re more supportive of each other.”