March 19, 2008

DELAND, Ala. - Coming off the heels of three consecutive Top 10 finishes to close out the Fall 2007 season, the Dayton Flyers men's golf team begins the 2008 spring campaign in match play against the Stetson Hatters.

This 18-hole tournament match will take place at the Victoria Hills Golf Course in DeLand, Ala. This will be the first of seven spring events for head coach Drew Tyrer and the Flyers.

"We are very excited and eager to begin competitive play," said Tyrer. "These guys have been working so hard on their games over the past few months, and they are ready to see their efforts put to work."

UD will showcase a lineup that has a unique mix of veterans and freshmen. Junior Rob Chappell paced the Flyers once again with a 74.1 scoring average in the fall. But close behind were five golfers who averaged a 77 or better during the fall season: freshman Jeff Hodapp (74.3), freshman Zach Glassman (74.7), junior Matthew Friend (76.0), freshman Chris Woeste (76.4) and freshman Ian Gilley (76.7).

Tyrer believes his squad is poised to start off the spring season on the right path and make it four Top 10 finishes in a row at their next tournament - the Hoosier Invitational.

"This is an incredibly competitive group of young men," Tyrer said. "Their focus and work ethic is contagious, and they continue to push each other and improve daily."

Back in October, the Flyers wrapped up the fall season with an eighth place finish at the John Dallio Memorial Golf Tournament. It was UD's third consecutive Top 10 finish thanks in part to Glassman and Woeste finishing in a tie for 11th among individuals.