The USF golfers /ambassadors took their act across the country and returned as impressed with themselves as their southern hosts were with them. Heat and hospitality were the mix in Augusta, Georgia, site of the ultimate in golf, the Masters Tournament and last week's Augusta Invitational. Treatment fit for a southern gentleman could not distract the Dons as they finished 7th in the competitive 18-team field despite temperatures above 90 degrees.
Chris Williams led the way for USF with three consistent rounds for a total of 220. Mike Fabian rebounded from a sub-par first round of 77 to finish 235 for the tourney. Jay Jackson, fighting the heat all the way, finished at 241.
Darrell DiGiovanni and Scott Weisberger, playing in their first college competition, were competitive throughout posting scores of 239 and 243 respectively. Weisberger. however had his own special problems. "When I found myself in certain situations, I found I didn't respond well to the pressure," said Weisberger who had to battle flying gnats as well as the holes. "For some reason, this tournament was a total drain." The heat, along with 80 percent made it with 10 minutes to spare. humidity.
The heat, along with 80 percent humidity, which caused the players to lose their grip on the clubs, made it difficult, but Saturday's 36 hole double round, which meant the USF golfers were out in the hot sun for 11 straight hours, provided the ultimate challenge. "Walking 36 holes, your legs start to give out," said Jackson. "You have to be an athlete," said coach Dick Nicolopulos. "There is no way you can play 36 rounds of competitive golf without being in shape."
Still the Dons were amazingly consistent. After rounds of 303 and 304 on Saturday, the Dons were in 12th place. But on Sunday the Dons made a serious run at their goal of 5th place behind clutch play from DiGiovanni, who shot even par over the last nine holes to finish at 76. Williams and Fabian led the team to a 303 round with 74's to secure a 7th place finish behind 21st-ranked Tennessee (TheFoghorn).
