By BOBBY THOMPSON
STAFF WRITER
The Fordham golf team’s spring season kicks off on March 24 at the La Salle Spring Invitational, which is held at the Talamore Country Club in Ambler, Pa. The Rams will attempt to defend their victory from last March, after capturing the 2012 La Salle Invitational by 10 strokes.
Fordham head coach Paul Dillon is confident that the Rams will be able to go back to back and get their first win of the academic year. The team has four of its five starters from last year, but they will miss their graduated captain Devon O’ Rourke, who placed second overall in the Rams victory last year. The Rams will be led by co-captains Jason Del Rosso and Brody Nieporte along with fellow senior Connor Monaghan. Junior Brandon Nolan and sophomore Jeff Hogan will round out the starting five after strong fall seasons. Both are becoming more confident in the starting role after playing very well at the end of 2012.
The Rams golf team will be busy after their spring break, as they will be competing in six tournaments, including the Atlantic 10 championship to cap off the season at the end of April in Florida. Dillon is confident that his experienced group of seniors will be able to finish off their careers on a high note.
“It’s very difficult for our team to compete in a tournament like the A-10’s,” Dillon said. “We are the only team in the conference that does not have their team on full scholarship. However, every year they seem to exceed their expectations and I am confident they will do the same this year.”
A reasonable expectation might be a middle-of-the-pack finish at tournament such as the A-10’s, but in the past, the Rams have been able to place as high as fourth. Dillon has also noticed, this year as well as in the past, that a team comprised of mostly seniors can make for some distractions, as they try to set up their careers after Fordham away from the golf course. But once again, Dillon has been impressed with the way his seniors have been able to handle golf, school and their plans after Fordham.
Over spring break, the Rams will be traveling to Florida to prep themselves for their busy schedule of tournaments at the end of the semester. The Rams will be able to fine-tune their games after the long winter break at the PGA National Golf Course, which recently hosted the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic. They will be playing rounds there all week, along with having access to the driving range and other practice facilities, in order to get their swings back into mid-season shape.
Jason Del Rosso says the spring break trip is always a great way to get ready for the upcoming season, and at the same time be able to relax and hang out with the other members of the team.
“Every year I always look forward to the spring break trip in March,” Del Rosso said. “Last year we got to go to Ireland, which was an amazing trip to say the least. I can’t wait to get down to Florida and enjoy the week off with my team.”
The Rams will be competing in tournaments every weekend when they return from Florida up until their A-10 championship on April 26.
