OWLS LOOKING TO SPRING FORWARD ON THE LINKS

PHILADELPHIA - Spring is the season in which things bloom. Second-year head golf coach Brian Rogers expects this will hold true for his young golf team.

After a fall in which the Owls struggled with two true freshmen and an inexperienced sophomore in the lineup, improvement appears imminent. Temple failed to post a top five finish in the first half of its 2005-06 campaign and finished last in two events, unfamiliar territory for a proud Temple program that has consistently been a force in Eastern golf.

"We didn't exactly have a great fall," said Rogers. "The youth of the team showed. We really relied on our two juniors, Logan Terry and James Boose. They struggled at times, so the team struggled. We are expecting James and Logan to really turn it around and lead the team in the spring. We also anticipate our freshmen will shake off the newcomer jitters and start to play the game like they know how.

"All of our players are accomplished. They can play the game. I think, more than anything with a college team, it's the mental part that can be a problem. There is a lot of pressure involved with being a student-athlete at this level and it often rears its ugly head at the most inopportune times.  Maturity, the ability to deal with the highs and the lows, is the equalizer. We have the elements. With added seasoning, this team should be successful."

Boose was Temple's top performer in the fall, posting a 75.1 scoring average and three top 20 finishes. He arrived in Owl Country in the fall of 2004 as a transfer and has steadily become more comfortable in Cherry & White, improving his stroke average with each season.

"James has really dedicated himself and returned in the fall about 10 to 15 pounds lighter," said Rogers. "He spent the summer working on his game and conditioning. He has become much more consistent. We are looking for him to stay consistent and remain in that number one spot."

Terry, a team co-captain with Boose, won the Montgomery County (Pa.) Amateur in August 2005. After an impressive rookie season in 2003-04 that brought a pair of Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week accolades, he experienced somewhat of a "sophomore slump" before regaining some form this past fall. This spring is primed for Terry to make an impact leading into his senior campaign.

"Logan was up and down with some of his rounds in the fall," said Rogers. When he gets hot, he can really play and take it low. With his build, stature and length off the tee he has a tremendous advantage."

Sophomore A.J. Tomasello and true freshmen Adam Pifer and Pat Rugg comprise the rest of the Owls' top five. The trio played in all six fall tournaments. Tomasello paced the team at the Big Five Classic, while Pifer was the squad's top player at the Navy Fall Invitational. Sophomore Kevin Busteed and freshmen Phil Haun and Justin Masters are also in the mix, having joined the team as walk-ons in the fall.

"One thing that has really impressed me is the camaraderie and team chemistry that we have," said Rogers. "The guys get along and enjoy each others company on and off the course. We didn't have that as much last season. I think it will really help us to push each other to compete and perform well this spring."

Temple University Athletics

OWLS LOOKING TO SPRING FORWARD ON THE LINKS

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