Fresno State Athletics
2001-02 Golf Outlook
4/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 17, 2002
The 2001-02 golf team is preparing for a season full of excitement. Despite the loss of one of last year's team captains, Wes Lovell, the Bulldogs are pulling towards making their 25th NCAA appearance. This team, led by seniors Jonathan Echols, Dustin Smith and junior All-American Nick Watney, predict that this is "the year" for the Bulldogs.
"This is the year that we have been pointing to," Watney said. "We have experience under our belts and our upperclassmen are prepared to lead the charge."
The schedule has 13 tournaments slated before postseason play this spring. The strong schedule will provide a high level of competition for the Bulldogs and prepare them for the WAC and NCAA Championships.
"If we do well in these tournaments," Watney said, "it will get us accustomed to playing against top teams. That is important when it comes to NCAA time."
The team is focused on making a repeat appearance at the West Regional where they took 15th last season before heading to the NCAA Championships at Ohio State in May.
"The team has a virtual lock on making the West Regional," Watney said.
Following last year's lead, the 12-man squad consists of primarily young players. The team has both six newcomers and six returnees.
"Even though we have some youngsters in the lineup, they are good," Watney said. "We have two seniors that we must take advantage of this season."
Echols and Smith are back for their final season and their lead will help determine the 'Dogs success. These Bulldogs have racked up impressive accomplishments during their time at Fresno State. Echols had a solid junior season with three top five wins and several achievements this summer. He won the Fresno City Amateur Championship and the stroke portion of the Northern California Amateur. Smith won the 2001 San Joaquin Valley Match Play and shot a career-best 65 in the John Burns Invitational last spring.
"Jon and Dustin are very good and it will be impossible to replace them immediately with players of their stature," Watney said.
Watney, a second-team All-American, joins these seniors. Coming off of two wins last season, being named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year and setting Fresno State's leading scoring record with 71.46 last season, the junior has proved that he will be a valuable asset to Bulldog team in 2002.
"Watney and Echols may be the best 1-2 punch in the nation," Watney said. "With the way Dustin Smith has started playing recently, maybe we should call them the 'Triple Threat.'"
Also returning this year is sophomore Chad Spencer, who garnered a fourth place finish at the Fresno Lexus Golf Classic. Spencer, combined with freshmen Ian Nelson and Ryan Carter, have the ability to hold up under the pressure of collegiate golf.
"Chad, Ian and Ryan can all shoot under par and when they get it going, the results can be eye opening," Watney said. Freshmen Eric Witherall and Tony Harmon, both redshirts last season, and George McKean will help the Bulldogs contend for a NCAA berth.
"This team has the firepower to blow most fields away," Watney said. "They have the skills and experience it takes to compete successfully with top-ranked teams in the country when it comes to postseason competition."
Readying themselves with tough competition and relying on growth gained from last season. The Bulldogs appear primed to reach their goals.
