Aug. 31, 2012
The Scott Limbaugh-era of Commodore men’s golf begins this weekend at the second annual Carmel Cup, which will take place at the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Club and the Old Bayonet Golf Club. Thirty-six holes will be played on Saturday, with 18 holes played each on the Old Bayonet course and at Pebble Beach, and the final 18 holes will be played on Sunday at Pebble Beach.
About the Carmel Cup
The Commodores will play in their only regular-season match-play event this weekend at the Carmel Cup against Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and TCU, with teams participating in a Medal-Match Play Format. Each team’s player’s scores will count, and will receive a point if they have a lower 18-hole score than their opponent.
Vanderbilt and Texas Tech played in the inaugural Carmel Cup last season.
“I’ve never been to Pebble Beach, so I’m very excited,” said Limbaugh. “It’s obviously a great way to start our season. It’s a reward kind of trip, in my opinion, to travel across the country and play one of the best golf courses in the world. We’re very excited.”
Both teams will play from the tips at Old Bayonet and Pebble Beach – both will be par 72’s, with Old Bayonet playing at 7,102 yards and Pebble at 6,848.
Who’s Representing Vanderbilt This Weekend
Senior Will Snipes, junior Charlie Ewing, sophomores Ben Fogler and Hunter Stewart, and freshmen Carson Jacobs and Zach Jaworski will compete for the Commodores.
“We have a lot of young guys in there, and I’m excited about the youth of our team,” said Limbaugh. “I really think they are committed to my style of coaching and I’m going to demand that they be great everyday. I preach that everyday, and I expect that out of my players. This is a university that deserves for us to be great in everything we do, so that’s going to be our standard. As long as the players on our team do that, they’ll have a great opportunity to be successful.”
Quick Turnaround
Members of the Vanderbilt men’s golf team have only been on campus for less than two weeks, and already they are getting thrown into the fire of collegiate competition.
Limbaugh says it may be the beginning of Vanderbilt’s season, but his guys should be ready to play.
“I’ve never started a season this soon,” said Limbaugh. “It’s soon to be starting a season before Labor Day. We’ve had four qualifying rounds, two practices, and we’re gone. People look at this as a start of a season, which it is for Vanderbilt, but it’s the back end of a golf year for all of our guys. Their games should be fine-tuned and in great form, and so for that part, I’m very excited.
Vanderbilt Q-School
Limbaugh put his players through the paces with a four-day qualifying tournament to determine his lineup for this weekend’s season debut.
“I thought qualifying went real well,” said Limbaugh. “We had a couple of really good days, and one day that wasn’t up to our standard. I’m preaching that we should be playing to the Vanderbilt Golf Standard, which is a standard of excellence in everything that we do. We can’t afford to take days off, holes off, and shots off. I’m proud of the way our guys have responded in the first week of practice and I’m really excited about our team. I saw a lot of good things from a lot of the players.
Limbaugh’s Thoughts On His Style of Coaching
“I believe in putting kids on the line, and I want to see how they react. I try to create as much of a tournament style atmosphere when we’re qualifying as I can. I want to try as put as much pressure on them as I can, but also keep it fun. I never want to lose sight that this is a game, and we’re going to have fun. I always give our players opportunities. As far as practices, our practices are going to be geared around our short game, from 150 yards and in. We’re going to be focused in on that area, because I believe that’s where you separate yourself as an elite player.”
What To Take Away From This Weekend
This is Limbaugh’s first glimpse at his Commodores in real competition, and he has a few ideas of what he’s looking for out of his team.
“I want to see who’s ready to handle it. It’s a big-time atmosphere, and we’re going to be playing some good teams in Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and TCU, and I want to see who’s ready to handle the situation. That’s ultimately who stands out. Those guys who can step up in any situation and just focus on the process of hitting their shot. That’s all that matters. We’re also young, so I want to see how we handle adversity. I want us to be resilient. That’s my word for this week. Let’s show some resiliency when things aren’t quite going our way. I like to see how guys can handle that. We’re going to have a lot of fun, it’s a great place, and Coach Smith and I are very excited.”
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