About this time last year, the Weber State men’s golf team was competing in the Ron Moore Intercollegiate tournament. Now, during COVID-19, the team can’t play at all.
Head coach of the men’s golf team Scott Erling offered insight on the team’s status during the pandemic.
“Right now, we are practicing and doing everything like we normally would,” Erling said.
They have not been able to play in tournaments, but that has not stopped them from working to improve their skills.
The team also does not want to spread COVID-19, but, they find it easier to follow guidelines than other sports.
“Golf is a great sport as far as that goes,” Erling said. “We have small numbers. We’re outside. You can easily socially distance.”
While many other sports require close encounters with other players, golf players can easily stay at least six feet away from others, a regulation much more difficult to follow in sports like football and basketball.
Golf also differs from other sports because it is played both in the fall and the spring.
“Normally, we would be playing right now, but due to COVID and stuff our fall competitions were canceled,” Erling said. “Now, we’re just trying to prepare. Hopefully, get ready to play this spring.”
The golf team’s first spring tournament of 2020 was the Pizza Hut Pat Hicks Invitational. The tournament started on Feb. 11 and ended on Feb. 12. This tournament can give an idea of when the spring season might start because there is no official schedule yet.
“We’re hopeful to get playing again in February where our normal spring season would start,” Erling said. “We’re preparing for that and hoping we get the opportunity.”
The golf season consists of multiple tournaments throughout the year. There are many that the team can compete in when COVID is not a problem.
“Golf is a different sport than most sports,” Erling said. “All the tournaments with the exception of our conference championship are invitationals. So, you can get a hodgepodge of schools from all over the country. Generally speaking, you can have anywhere between eight teams to 20.”
The team only played in seven tournaments last school year. Three of those tournaments were in the spring before COVID affected their schedule.
“Our number one goal for golf is to win our conference championship, which will be in the spring,” Erling said.
The team wants to be the number one team in the Big Sky Conference.
“We want everyone to get better,” Erling said. “We want everyone to maximize their ability. And we want everyone to have a great experience at Weber State.”
The team’s goals focus on player development and becoming a successful golf team that represents Weber State.
