GW golf team prepares for their crucial A-10 Championship match at Grand Cypress in Orlando.
The George Washington University golf team is set for the upcoming Atlantic 10 Championship at Grand Cypress, Orlando, showcasing a mix of new talent and seasoned players. Despite a challenging season, they are optimistic about improving their performance to compete against league rivals. Head Coach Chuck Scheinost emphasizes the team’s progress and resilience, hoping to end the season on a high note after a rigorous journey of rebuilding.
In the bustling city of Washington, D.C., the GW golf team is gearing up for the Atlantic 10 Championship, which kicks off tomorrow at the beautiful Grand Cypress course in Orlando, Florida. However, this season has been quite the journey, filled with rebuilding and reevaluation as the team wraps up its regular season, which concluded on April 12.
It’s been a tough season for the Colonials, as they faced challenges throughout their tournaments. The team didn’t manage to place in the top three in any of their events, which certainly wasn’t the outcome they aimed for. Their best finish came back in September at the Howard USF Intercollegiate, where they snagged the No. 4 spot out of 12 teams, finishing with a score of 853, or 13 strokes over par.
As spring rolled around, the team continued to face hurdles, finishing ninth at the Stitch Intercollegiate among 13 competing teams, leading to a combined score of 22 strokes over par. With the team undergoing a significant roster overhaul in the offseason, losing two graduating starters and junior Jed Dy, who transferred to San Jose State University, the stakes became even higher.
This season marked the arrival of some fresh faces to the squad. Newcomers include freshman Adam Bencik, sophomore Benji Garcia Moreira, and junior Philippe Thorin—who transferred from Swarthmore College and the University of North Texas. With this new blood joining the ranks, Head Coach Chuck Scheinost expressed that the team feels “very different” from last year due to the high turnover rate.
Coach Scheinost acknowledged the challenges of the season, admitting that it has been tougher than any previous seasons. Nevertheless, positive signs began to arise recently, particularly after a series of internal meetings that were held around spring break. A glimmer of hope appeared with the best finish of the spring season, securing a tie for seventh place at the SeattleU Redhawk Invitational among 18 teams.
Adam Bencik shared that playing for GW is a whole new ball game compared to his previous golf experience in Slovakia, owing to the heightened level of competition and longer play days. However, the team has been diligently setting specific goals and values over this past month, aiming to create a more cohesive unit. Bencik has also been working closely with a local swing coach, which has led to some noticeable improvements in his game, including an impressive spring season score of 67 at the SeattleU tournament.
While the newcomers are finding their footing, junior Rodrigo Barahona has emerged as a key player, consistently placing within the top 15 of various tournaments. His standout performances included tying for second at the Howard USF Intercollegiate with a score of 206, four under par, as well as tying for third at the Stitch Intercollegiate with a total of 212 strokes, which was one under par.
Looking ahead, Barahona, Barbachano, and the new members will be returning next season, with only senior Luke Lyu graduating. To fill Lyu’s spot, Coach Scheinost plans to utilize the transfer portal rather than look to recruit a freshman, believing it may lead to more immediate success.
Next season is set to be crucial, particularly with the graduation of multiple team members, and the team is eager to improve their performance, aiming for sought-after tournament wins and perhaps a conference crown.
The upcoming A-10 Championship starts tomorrow, and the team is determined to end the season on a high note. Both Barahona and Barbachano had impressive top 10 finishes in last year’s championship, which will no doubt boost their confidence. Key areas of focus for the competition include mastering their drives and honing their short game, which has proven to be a struggle this year.
In preparation, Coach Scheinost even organized a “wedge day” practice session, ensuring that the team is ready to tackle the challenges ahead. The championship field features 11 other A-10 teams, and Richmond is noted as a favorite given their past performances, creating a competitive atmosphere for all involved.
As the first round of the A-10 Championship kicks off tomorrow, all eyes will be on the GW golf team to see if they can push their scores lower than their Richmond rivals and make a mark in this pivotal tournament. Fans and supporters are hopeful that this dedicated team can rise to the occasion and deliver a remarkable performance.
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