2014-15 Men's Golf Season Review

PROVO, Utah – The BYU men’s golf team had a solid season after having several good performances from players including Jordan Rodgers’ individual win at the PING Cougar Classic. Rodgers also competed as an individual at the NCAA Regional Championships in 2014-15.

“There were some good rounds in several of the tournaments we competed in, but we were inconsistent at times, ” BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. “This season was difficult for us. We struggled all year long with our depth and inconsistency, which happens when you lose your top players."

The Cougars’ highest finish of the season was third place at the PING Cougar Classic. They also placed in the top five in three other tournaments, nine times in the top 10.

At the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational, BYU scored its lowest total as a team with 856. The lowest team round of the season was 277, which was earned in the first round of the Alister MacKenzie Invitational.

Senior Jordan Rodgers led the team all season-long, finishing in the top 20 in seven tournament and in the top 10 three times. His best finish was at the PING Cougar Classic where he took first place individually, shooting five-under-par.

“Jordan Rodgers winning at the Cougar Classic was definitely a highlight,” Brockbank said. “It was fun to see Rodgers show up at the Cougar Classic. It’s never easy to play at your home event. It’s always a challenge with the expectations and family watching, so it was nice to see him win it.”

At The Goodwin, Rodgers shot his lowest total with 206 (67, 68, 71), which put him in a tie for 14th. At the WCC tournament, Rodgers was named to the 2015 Men’s All-WCC Team. He was also named to the 2014-15 WCC All-Academic Team.

Rodgers played well enough this season to earn an individual bid to the NCAA Regional Championships in Bremerton, Washington. He finished tied for 46th (+6).

Cole Ogden, another senior, had a solid season, finishing in the top 20 five times, top 10 twice. He tied for fourth (-4) at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational, his best finish of the season. He also earned his lowest total at this tournament with 209, shooting 69 in the first round.

Junior Tommy Higham’s best finishes came at the John H. Burns Intercollegiate and the Jones Invitational where he tied for 27th in both events, totaling 222 each time. His lowest total was 212, including 69 in the first round, at The Goodwin.

The final senior on this year’s roster, Mike Jurca, had a solid season. While competing as an individual at the PING Cougar Classic, he had his best finish with a tie for 21st. He also had his lowest total at that tournament with 218.

Some of the freshmen showed great potential this year. Austin Banz tied for third place at the PING Cougar Classic after shooting his career-low of 212, including 67 in the first round. Zach Pritchard tied for 16th at the WCC Championships, which was the second-best finish for a BYU player. He also tied for 23rd at the Arizona Intercollegiate after shooting four-over-par.

“We all have to get better in every way for next season, the players and the coaches,” Brockbank said. “We have some young kids coming in for next season, and the players in the program know what they have to try to accomplish in the next three months. Hopefully we will be able to start off strong next season.”

Though three seniors will be moving on, the team has a lot of experience under its belt to be able to push for a great season in 2015-16.