Focus On Golf: Deacs ready for NCAA Regionals

Dustin Groves had a big smile last week after he completed his last final exam. The smile signified the end of his academic career.

"I'm graduating later this month so all I have to worry about now is golf," said Groves, a fifth-year senior for the Wake Forest Deacons.

With exams out of the way the same can be said for Groves' teammates, who will play at one of the six regional sites starting on Thursday in Galloway, N.J.

For whatever reason during the last several years the Deacons have thrived soon after completing exams, winning three of the last four regionals.

"I guess there's something to that," said Groves, the only senior in the Deacons' starting lineup. "It just seems like there's such a big load off all our minds when school is out. We don't have to worry as much and can really focus on the course.

"I mean, during the season we'd get back from tournaments at 2 a.m., and then have a test or paper due for an 8 a.m. class."

The Deacons come into the regional as the fifth seed on a course that Groves says will be difficult.

"I think it plays right into our hands because we aren't a team that makes a lot of birdies but we are very capable of grinding it out and this course is a long one," Groves said about Galloway National Golf Club, a Tom Fazio-design.

One of the differences with this year's regional format from past years is instead of three tournaments with 28 teams in each, there are six regionals. Wake Forest is among 14 teams in its regional and five teams will advance.

Coach Jerry Haas of the Deacons knew his team would be challenged this season. Haas has two freshmen (Daniel Meggs and Lee Bedford) in his starting lineup, along with juniors Travis Wadkins and Brendan Gielow.

Haas calls this one of the biggest tournaments of the year because it's a stepping stone to the NCAA Championships. He doesn't quite know why the Deacons have done so well in regional play over the years but he hopes it continues.

"With school out I do think it kind of frees their minds," Haas said. "But with that said you still have to go out there and play well. I think the biggest key is for us to get off to a good start."

Last season the Deacons won the Central Regional, beating Oklahoma State by 10 shots.

"Looking at the field we have in New Jersey, I think we got a pretty fair draw," Haas said about the regional that includes top-seeded Clemson, Alabama, Illinois and Tennessee.

Today the Deacons will travel to Treyburn Country Club in Durham to play the Big Four exhibition that includes N.C. State, Duke and North Carolina. The format includes current teams and alumni playing in a match-play format.

Groves said that this week is important because they have to finish inside the top 5 for their season to continue. He also said that there aren't many who expect the Deacons to contend.

"We love being the underdogs because I think we all tend to play better," Groves said.

Haas says he likes the way his Deacons have gutted it out on several occasions this season.

"I don't mind that we are the underdogs because I know I have a team that can get the job done," Haas said. "Now it's just a matter of doing it."

Chandler and college golf

Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, a European agent who represents Ernie Els, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, said last week that collegiate programs are hindering the development of U.S. golfers.

"There's no doubt the U.S. college system is holding young players back," Chandler told The New York Times. "Twenty years ago the system was a massive positive, but now it's a negative. Kids now go to college over here and learn to go out drinking and girls and whatever and it's a nice experience. But from a golf standpoint, your golf stands still."

Chandler pointed to the development of McIlroy, who is 20 and never went to college.

McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, already has won on the PGA European Tour and is ranked 18th in the world.

"And I think it's not a coincidence that people like Tiger (Woods) finished (college) early, Anthony Kim finished early and Sean O'Hair didn't go," Chandler told The Times. "You think about Rory; he's got maybe two or three years before he would have left college. He could be No. 1 in the world by then."

Around the green

Applications for the Forsyth Senior are available at local golf courses and at the city's recreation department. The tournament will be held May 21-22 at Maple Leaf and Reynolds Park. For more information call Dick Butler at 734-1212….

With Father's Day next month, Pinehurst Resort has a weekend package available June 19-21 starting at $750 a person. The three-night stay includes a round at No. 2 and at No. 4 as well as access to the U.S. Open VIP room. It includes breakfast each morning and two dinners with special speakers. One of the speakers will be author James Dodson, who has a new book out titled A Son of the Game. For more information go to www.pinehurst.com or call 1-800-487-4653….

Drew Weaver of Virginia Tech, a senior who was named all-ACC, will lead the Hokies in the Austin, Texas, regional later this week. The Hokies are the 10th seed in the regional. Weaver, who is from High Point, leads the Hokies with a 71.45 average and in 19 of 29 rounds this season he has shot par or better. Weaver is ranked second in school history in career-scoring average at 73.14….

John McConnell, who owns some of the top courses in the state, has bought The Old North State Club at Uwharrie Point. McConnell also owns Raleigh Country Club, The Cardinal in Greensboro, Treyburn Country Club in Durham and Musgrove Mill in Clinton, S.C. The Old North State Club, a Tom Fazio-design, gives McConnell courses that have been designed by Donald Ross, Pete Dye and Arnold Palmer. Old North State Club is ranked second in the state by the N.C. Golf Panel behind Pinehurst No. 2.

■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.