Freshman trio paces men’s golf team
With three new faces joining NCAA Runner-Up Adam Rubinson, the men’s golf team heads into their first tournament.
By Jay Zuckerman
Skiff Staff

With three new members on the 2002-03 TCU men’s golf team, Head Coach Bill Montigel said even he is not sure what to expect from this year’s lineup, ranked No. 28 in the country by Golfweek Magazine.

What Montigel does know is that he will still have the services of senior Adam Rubinson, who finished second at the 2002 NCAA Golf Championships.

“Adam’s been a great example (for the team),” Montigel said. “They see how hard he works and what a great attitude he has. It’s going to make the transition easier for the young guys.”

The second golfer with experience in collegiate tournaments is sophomore J.J. Killeen, who merited Conference USA Co-Freshman of the year honors. Killeen averaged a 74.03 a round during his freshman year.

The three newcomers are David Schultz, a sophomore transfer from Colorado State, freshman Drew Pigg and freshman Colby Beckstrom.

Beckstrom, who was ranked as the #9 Prep Golfer in the country by the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Ranking Systems, said he does not feel nervous about his first tournament because of Montigel.

“Coach Montigel is a laid-back guy,” Beckstrom said. “That’s what I really like about him. He doesn’t tell you how to play your game because he knows the reason you are here is because you can play your own game.”

Rubinson said he is impressed with the talent and mental preparation of the three new golfers.

“I am in the position where I need to be a leader by example, but I don’t need to motivate these guys,” Rubinson said. “Everyone is fired up and ready to go.”

Beckstrom said he finds an advantage in the youth of this year’s TCU squad.

“If I was playing with four other seniors, I might be a little more nervous,” Beckstrom said. “It kind of helps that we are all in this together.”

TCU’s first tournament will be played Saturday and Sunday at The Ridges Golf and Country Club in Jonesborough, Tenn. They have won the tournament the last two years.

Montigel said the golfers look forward to playing on this course every year.

“It is one of the best golf courses that we’ve ever played on,” Montigel said. “It is in great shape and has some really fast greens. It’s a golf course with rolling hills and is really beautiful.”