Men's Golf Opens Season Ranked In Top 25
10/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
CONWAY, S.C. -- The Coastal Carolina men's golf team has opened the 2006-07 campaign by earning its way into the national rankings. Coming off last year's appearance in the NCAA Championships and a pair of top-five finishes in the first two events, the Chanticleers are ranked 14th in the nation and fourth in the region by Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index and 21st nationally by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
"Our current ranking is based on our strength of schedule," head coach Allen Terrell commented. "In our first two events, we showed signs of being a great team and were able to beat some solid teams. We need to continue to work hard to develop depth and consistency throughout our lineup. For our team to contend for titles, we need to finish our rounds strong. We will continue to juggle our lineup to give everyone the opportunity to show us who is going to step up and take the spots."
Senior Dustin Johnson (Lexington, S.C./Dutch Fork) continues to be the leader of the Chanticleers, as he is ranked as the No. 5 amateur in the U.S. after the summer and sits 22nd in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index through his first two tournaments. The two-time All-American posted top-five finishes individually in his first two events, including the runner-up slot, and the top American finish, at the International Intercollegiate in Scotland, Sept. Johnson, the two-time Big South Player of the Year, set a new school and Big South single-season scoring record last year, averaging 71.8 in 40 rounds played. This past summer, he qualified for match play at the U.S. Amateur and Western Amateur, as well as representing the United States in the Fuji Xerox U.S./Japan Cup.
"Dustin continues to grow as a player," Terrell continued. "His best golf is still ahead of him. He is understanding the importance of setting high goals and being consistent in the work to achieve them. One of those goals is to be a member of this year's Walker Cup team. I think he showed this summer how consistent he can play. I am extremely proud of his improvement on the golf course and in the classroom. Last year, he was First Team All-American and was named to our Dean's List. He hasn't played well yet but still is off to a solid start. I'm excited about his future."
The Chanticleers are back in action Mon.-Tue., Oct. 9-10 at the Duke Golf Classic. The 54-hole tournament will be played at the Duke University Golf Club in Durham, N.C., and Coastal finished in a tie for second last year, one shot behind host Duke.
