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University of North Carolina Athletics
Men's Golf Season Preview
June 21, 1999 | Men's Golf
February 4, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.-- Excitement might best summarize the North Carolina men's golf program as they embark on the 1999 season. Coming into the spring, the Tar Heels are led by a pair of upperclassmen, Don Hill and Max Harris. However, it is the leadership of first year coach John Inman that has sparked and excited the entire program.
Inman brings to a talented program the commitment, drive, and success he experienced as a player. Having been successful and won at every level of competitive golf, he can best relate to his players, helping them to become better golfers as well as better individuals.
The perspective Inman teaches revolves around the understanding that not every player wants or even aspires to be a professional golfer. However, during their time at Carolina, each individual can have a fun, learning, and competitive experience through the game of golf.
Without a doubt, this rationale has sparked a great deal of excitement within the program and created a new environment that resulted in a successful fall campaign. The Tar Heel squad placed first in two of their five tournaments and was invited to play in the Rolex National Intercollegiate Match Play Team Championships, which showcased the top eight teams in the country last fall.
This spring the Tar Heels will be led by senior Don Hill, a Mount Olive, N.C. native, who returns from a successful junior year highlighted by being named Honorable Mention All-America. Inman feels certain that Don will be a contender, both regionally and nationally. "Don is one of the top players in the country," says Inman. Complementing his talent and knowledge of the game, Inman expects Hill to lead the team. "He has been our leader this year. He's a great role model for all of the players following behind him. He has many qualities as a golfer and a person that are going to allow him to help move us in the right direction this spring."
Along with Hill, the only other senior this spring will be Bill White from Charlotte, N.C. Inman feels that he is a good player with a great deal of talent. "Bill has done well in the past; we just need to get him back on track in the spring."
Highlighting the junior class is Max Harris, from Worthing, England, who follows an extremely successful sophomore campaign in which he was named a second team All-America. Inman is very complementary of Harris, saying he is the one player to whom he would most compare himself. "Max is a very quiet, confident player. He knows he should play well each week and with those high expectations, he has been highly successful."
Possibly in the top five for the spring season will be Ted Haley, a junior from Greenwich, Conn., who has experienced relative success during his Tar Heel career. Although he has a beautiful swing and hits the ball a long way, Inman stresses that he must work on his scoring, keeping the bad rounds away.
Brad Hyler, from Raleigh, N.C., has been another spark for North Carolina since his transfer from Virginia Tech last fall. Inman is pleased with Hyler's progress and improvement, highlighted by a victory in his first tournament in a Tar Heel uniform, the Keswick Club Cavalier Classic last fall.
Also in the lineup this spring could be sophomore Rob Simmons, from Walterboro, S.C., who had a successful fall campaign. "Rob is a very consistent player and has the fire and competitiveness it takes to be a fine golfer," Inman says.
Hoping to fully recover from a shoulder injury is junior Paul Daniel, a native of Burlington, N.C. Inman hopes he can return to the form that helped him win the first collegiate tournament in which he played. "Considering his demeanor on the course, Paul has the potential to be a top five performer," says Inman.
Two others that might make significant contributions this spring are sophomore Will Snellings, from Ridgefield, Conn., and redshirt freshman Whitten Meares, from Fair Bluff, N.C. Snellings gained substantial experience in the fall, playing in two tournaments. "Will has a beautiful golf swing and hits the ball well, but needs to work on putting. If he can bring all those elements together, he has the potential to be a consistent performer and a top five player," says Inman.
Along with Snellings, Meares played in a couple of tournaments this fall. "If he can learn to control his shots and keep the bad rounds away, he could be a top five player. Without a doubt, we are expecting big things out of Whitten this spring," according to Inman.
Filling out the sophomore class will be Cameron Golden and Johno Harris. "Cameron will be an asset to the team because of his good short game and knowledge of how to score. If he can improve his ball striking, he has great potential." Similarly, Harris will hopefully be making some strides on his game this spring. "He has a great short game, but must improve his ball striking to better shape his game," says Inman.
Three newcomers to this year's squad, along with redshirt freshman Meares, include Robbie Petty, from Forest City, N.C., and a duo from Wilmington, N.C., Bob Cherry, and Ned Murchison. All four freshmen have the knowledge and understanding of how to win and should improve this spring, learning how to get comfortable and acclimated to playing college golf. This class will undoubtedly contribute to the Tar Heel program in the future.
With the prospects of the underclassmen and the continuing success of many of the upperclassmen, a successful fall campaign and an equally successful recruiting period for next year, the North Carolina men's squad is clearly excited about the future of their program. Matching such potential with a first-year coach that embodies success in every aspect of the game of golf makes for an undoubtedly exciting spring campaign.
Players Mentioned
