Feb. 16, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In an individual sport, something like team chemistry can quite often be overstated.

But head coach Tom Hanna says that's not the case with the 2004-05 University of Maryland men's golf team. In helping, pushing and supporting each other, Hanna feels this year's Terps are better than the sum of their individual parts.

"This team has worked harder, there's better team chemistry, than I've had in the past couple years," said Hanna, now in the midst of his 14th season at his alma mater. "That was obvious the way they performed in the fall. We overachieved, I don't think there's any question about that.

"We're not overly talented, but the players are working very hard, and the hard work has paid off for this team."

Hanna credits the leadership from some experienced players, who are making important contributions on the course as players, but also as role models for the younger players. Senior Bobby MacWhinnie and junior John Eades have set the tone for the Terps posting one first- and two second-place team finishes in Fall 2004.

"Bobby is probably the worker on the team right now," said Hanna. "He's a senior captain and shows great leadership ability. If I had 10 guys like him, we'd be national champions."

MacWhinnie finished third on the team in scoring average a year ago at 75.9, and had a pair of top-20 finishes. He's off to a strong start in the fall, with three of his 13 fall rounds being under-par.

Eades leads the Terps in scoring average after five fall events, posting a 72.2 average. He has a pair of top-10 individual finishes and has been among the top 20 in three events.

"John is the steady one on the team, he's the rock," said Hanna. "He's not doing anything spectacular, but if you look at his scores, he hasn't had any bad rounds and he's had a couple good ones. He's solid and very steady right now."

Another player Hanna has mentioned as a hard worker is sophomore Tyler Witman, who won the individual title in leading the Terrapins to the team title at The McLaughlin tournament held at Bethpage (N.Y.) State Park in the fall.

"Tyler has done extremely well, he's been a pleasant surprise," said Hanna. "He's down (at the practice range) a lot on his own. It just goes to show you that hard work pays off."

Sophomore Matt Schall was also in the lineup in all five fall events for the Terrapins, posting a second-place finish at the McLaughlin and having his score count toward the team score in 11 of 13 rounds. He averaged 76.7 in a pair of late spring events last season and has improved that mark to 73.6 in the fall.

Rounding out the lineup in the fall was freshman J.J. Occi, a hometown product from Clarkesville, Md. Occi had two top-20 finishes individually, including a tie for third individually at The McLaughlin.

"That fifth spot is probably the most important spot on the team," said Hanna. "We have some guys jockeying for position for that fifth spot... I expect everybody to push those guys."

Pushing for spots in the lineup are sophomore Hunter Bendall, who played well in his native Richmond area during summer events, sophomore Skip Clasper and freshmen Adam Cohn and Tom Guillebeau.

"We're young with one senior and one junior, four sophomores and three freshmen," said Hanna. "The future is looking awfully good."

Hanna is hoping the future holds a fourth straight appearance in an NCAA Regional Tournament. The Terrapins have been in four regionals in the last six years and five in Hanna's previous 13 seasons.

"Our main goal is to make the NCAAs," said Hanna. "We have to take the district tournaments one at a time and go in with a game plan. The NCAA selection is based on head-to-head competition... If we get to the regionals and get these kids another year under their belt of getting to the NCAAs, that will really help."