After a disappointing end to its 2014 season, the Texas team has its eyes on a national championship.
“We started the year with a team that can compete for a national championship, and that hasn’t changed,” head coach John Fields said.
Texas finally starts its four-month journey to a potential title this weekend at the Amer Ari/Big Island Intercollegiate Golf Tournament in Waikoloa, Hawaii. The beautiful island setting will serve as merely a backdrop for the Longhorns, who are looking for their first title since 2012.
No. 5 Texas boasts a roster capable of finding its way to the National Championship in Florida this May.
Sophomore Beau Hossler and freshman Doug Ghim highlight the 12-person team. Both were selected to the All-Amateur team, which is made up of the 20 best amateur golfers from around the world.
Hossler secured first-team honors after winning the Western Amateur and placing second at the Porter Cup. Ghim earned second-team recognition following runner-up honors at the U.S. Amateur Public Links and after advancing to the round of 64 at the U.S. Amateur.
“Beau Hossler has absolutely had a great role this year, even better than when he was a freshman,” Fields said. “He had a great summer, along with his teammate Doug Ghim, who had an exceptional summer as well.”
Freshmen Taylor Funk and Scottie Scheffler, along with senior Kramer Hickok, join Hossler and Ghim to round out the five-man team lineup for the Big Island Intercollegiate.
“Those are the five spots right now, but the lineup fluctuates week-to-week to promote competition within the team,” Fields said. “Essentially right now, Hossler and Ghim are showing they will maintain where they are, and the fifth spot will typically move week-to-week.”
Among those competing for the fifth spot on the five-man team are redshirt juniors Will Griffin and Tayler Termeer and redshirt senior Brax McCarthy. The three will compete in the Big Island tournament this week as individuals, and aren’t far from finding their way into the lineup for the Longhorns.
“We have eight players in the event for us this week,” Fields said. “This gives us the best opportunity to stay sharp and elevate the team.”
This weekend marks a starting point on the road to a national championship for Texas. And with the necessary tools to compete, the Longhorns have a promising opportunity ahead of them.
“We can have success, and winning the U.S. Collegiate Championship last fall in Georgia was proof of that,” Fields said. “Our goal is to come together and win championships.”
