Following up on a story we ran on College Central presented by PING two weeks ago, the success of the mens program at the University of Texas is usually dependant on the play of their two leaders, Jason Hartwick and Matthew Rosenfeld. Well, if their play this past week at the Cleveland Golf Collegiate Invitational is any indication, the Longhorns might be primed to make a run at the nations elite.
Texas captured the team title by 15 strokes over a very strong field which included the second ranked UCLA Bruins. It was their first victory since the 2003 Big XII conference championship. John Fields team was led by sophomore Rosenfeld, who took home medalist honors for the first time in his collegiate career.
One shot behind Rosenfeld was Hartwick, a senior who is continuing his impressive play in his final season in Austin. Joining Hartwick with runner-up honors was another Longhorn, Jeff Bell.
As Coach Fields has stated on many occasions, his team will go only as far as Hartwick and Rosenfeld can take them.
There has never been any doubt about Jasons talent and his ability to shine when it matters most. That being said, Matthews resume in junior golf was as strong as it gets, including winning the 2000 U.S Junior Amateur Championship. But I have been waiting for this young man to break through and make a statement in the college game.
Although it is just one event, it sometimes takes getting a little taste of winning for a player to take it to the next level. I have a suspicion I might not be waiting much longer for Rosenfelds impact to be felt nationwide.
If this is the case, the folks wearing the burnt orange may honestly be able to say they have the best one-two punch in the country, and can truly make a case as one of the teams to keep an eye on as the spring season continues.
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