May 30, 2016
EUGENE, OR—A couple thousand miles from campus amidst towering Douglas Fir and Cedar trees that predate the founding of the United States, Vanderbilt’s men’s golf team is reminding the golf world why it’s special.
It’s not that the Commodores have led the cream of the collegiate crop at the national championship for the better part of the last 36 holes over the gorgeous Eugene Country Club, although that is both impressive and true.
To those paying attention, it’s also a matter of how this youth-dominated squad is doing it, a mixture with equal parts of talent, discipline, poise and adept coaching.
There is but one senior in Vandy’s lineup here, the veteran Carson Jacobs. There is also junior Matthias Schwab, sophomore Theo Humphrey and two guys – Patrick Martin and William Gordon – who are supposed to be freshmen but have handled themselves beyond their years. Schwab and Gordon will be opponents in this summer’s Palmer Cup that features Europe’s best against the top USA collegians.
While the Commodores can bash it with the best of them, this is no place for free-swinging Tarzans who crush it first and think afterwards. Stray off the narrow fairways here and you are hoping for a bogey at best.
It is apparent Vanderbilt has been well-taught by Head Coach Scott Limbaugh and his outstanding assistant Dusty Smith — who has been back in Nashville while he and his wife Janey await the birth of their daughter any day.
If the tournament was being played among anywhere else but this northwestern Camelot, where it’s at least two plane rides from SEC Country, Dusty would be walking the fairways, most likely with Gordon. But while Limbaugh is as competitive as anyone, he advised his trusted sidekick that the birth of the baby trumps a golf tournament even if it’s the national championship. It is another solid decision, the kind that has distinguished this program.
There is a esprit de corps among the Vanderbilt golf family and friends that is second to none. Parents enjoy meals together and exchange smiles and fist-bumps as they pass each other on the course. The golf is exciting, the friendships will last lifetimes.
This group relishes how the team conducts itself on the course. While this is a sport played by gentlemen, and for the vast majority of participants that is exactly what they are, there are a few that grunt and grimace. We saw at least one frustrated opponent toss a ball into the pond after missing a putt. Most of the time one cannot tell if a Vandy guy has birdied or bogeyed a hole based on body language.
The men’s golfers scored a big classroom win earlier this month when they posted a 3.50 team grade point and every one on the roster registered a 3.0 or better. It was a program high-water mark.
Partway through Sunday’s round, The Golf Channel began following some of the Vanderbilt groups although full television coverage doesn’t start until Tuesday’s match play. The presence of camera crews and commentators such as John Cook, the PGA Tour veteran, didn’t seem to phase anyone.
As someone sagely noted when told about this extra attention, “Vanderbilt is no longer just a participant at this tournament.”
How very true!
The program has been on a steep climb since Limbaugh took over four years ago. Last year Vandy finished stroke play in second place as its coming out party at the big dance, reaching match play for the first time. There is no giddiness among the Commodores or their fan base this time around.
As Kenny Rogers sang years ago, “there will be time enough for counting when the dealings done.” Right now there is a game plan to focus upon and a lot of golf to be played. Who knows how the final scorecard will read but it’s going to be fun watching this unfold.