2004-05 GFM at Northern Intercollegiate -- Notes & Quotes
9/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Q U O T E S
Michigan Coach Andrew Sapp
On the overall weekend performance ... "There was good and bad, obviously. It is a step forward for us, especially for us to shoot under par in that second round. It's a positive sign that we had three guys out of our six shoot rounds under par. On the golf course that is going to be hosting the Big Ten Championships that is always a good sign for May. Now, May is a long way away, but we will be able to come back with some confidence that we can play this golf course."
On the U-M one-two punch of Kevin Dore and Christian Vozza ... "It is always a positive when you can have two players finish in the top 10. Kevin and Christian both finished with a total of one-under. It was just a solid tournament for both of them. Both of them are disappointed with the way that they finished today, but the two of them are going to string along three good rounds in a tournament and win a tournament real soon. They are pretty close. I know Kevin's third round and Christian's first round hurt them, but they played solid otherwise."
On working on the stability and depth of the 3-4-5 members ... "The possibility is there obviously. We have got three guys, who in the first two tournaments have finished in the top 10, we've got another who has had a top 20 finish. So, we have a little over three weeks to work and to prepare for our final three events, which are pretty much back-to-back-to-back. We need to get a little more consistency throughout the entire lineup so that everybody can play well at the same time."
Sophomore Kevin Dore
On his top 10 finish ... "There were a lot of positives I can take from this tournament. The first day I hit the ball great. I probably hit maybe two bad shots in 36 holes. I played the par 5s really solid and was able to score fairly well. I do feel I could have been a few better, but at the same time you can always lose a shot here and there. Today, I just never really got into a groove, I didn't have my rhythm. I kind of felt I was on my heels the whole round, but I kept it together. Overall though the tournament was definitely a positive."
On getting more consistency from round to round ... "We just have to concentrate on the little things. Getting off to good starts and having a sharp short game is really what we need to do to cut down on the lost shots. All weekend, we had some good rounds, but I think everyone could say they lost a few shots here and there around the greens. More than anything it is just the focus that we need to have in order to eliminate those mistakes."
Junior Christian Vozza
On his weekend performance ... "Actually, I had a bad start, but I it was really just a couple of holes. I had a triple and then a double. After those holes, I just told myself to bear down because there were a lot of birdie holes out there and I needed to take advantage of the par 5s. Then I just kind of caught on fire in the second round. I hit 14 or 15 greens in a row that second round to finish the round. I was just giving myself some opportunities and that was what I wanted to do after shooting 75 in the first round. Today, I started really good with two birdies in three holes and then another on No. 11. I just had it all going, but then I kind of lost it at the very end with some errant shots that cost me. Overall I am happy, it was just another learning experience for myself."
On finding consistency and staying focused ... "Basically it is getting up and down. If you hit a bad shot make sure you can get up and down. I know my up and down percentage was 50 percent this weekend. It cannot be that. It should be more upwards in the 70-80 percent range. As far as keeping your focus, you have to keep telling yourself that you have the confidence to hit good shots. You have to tell yourself you have played this game thousands of times, and each round should be relaxed, like you are playing with your dad or your buddies. You just have to hit good shots. That is what it is all really about."
N O T E S
The last time the Wolverines had two players finish in the top 10 was during the 2000-01 season, at the Wolverine South Invitational (March 3-4, 2001). At this weekend's Northern Intercollegiate, Kevin Dore and Christian Vozza both tied for seventh. In addition, the last time the Wolverines had three players finish in the top 20 was at the 2004 Furman Intercollegiate (March 26-28). Including Dore and Vozza's tie for seventh, Rob Tighe tied for 16th, playing as an individual giving the Maize and Blue three in the top 20 this weekend.
Michigan's second round team total of one-under 287 is the first time the Wolverines have gone under par this season. The last time the Wolverines were under par as a team was at the end of last season when the Maize and Blue tallied a two-under 282 in the final round of the 2004 Big Ten Championships (May 8-9).
Kevin Dore, Rob Tighe and Christian Vozza all tallied season-best 54-hole tournament totals at the Northern Intercollegiate. Dore and Vozza both recorded one-under 215 totals, while Tighe had a 219 total.
Kevin Dore the fourth and fifth rounds of his career below par with his two-under 70 in the first round and his three-under 69 in the second round of the Northern Intercollegiate.
Christian Vozza recorded his fifth career round below par with his four-under 68 in the second round of the Northern Intercollegiate.
Dating back to the last season, in six of the last seven tournaments Kevin Dore and Christian Vozza have finished first or second among all Wolverine players in tournament play.
With five total rounds under par at the Northern Intercollegiate, the Wolverines have seven total in the first two tournaments of the season. During the entire 2003-04 season, the Maize and Blue recorded eight red numbers.
Wisconsin's University Ridge will also serve as the host site for the 2005 Big Ten Championships in May.
