Men's Golf Q&A
10/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 3, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Nathan Gunthorpe
On the team's goals for this week...
"We're looking to improve on what we did at Inverness. We didn't play very well for a couple rounds, and it's pretty exciting because we've got a bunch of Big Ten teams that we need to beat, that we should beat."
On the team rebounding from its performance at Inverness...
"We just need to get back to what we do best. Each individual player knows what they have to do to score."
On competing with seven Pac-10 teams...
"We usually don't get to see them often. We saw Southern Cal at Inverness and they're a good team in their conference, so it'll be a good challenge. It's going to be an experience because we usually don't get to see those West Coast players that much, except for in some summer events, so it'll be fun to compete against them."
Ryan Brehm
On this week's field...
"We're playing against Pac-10 teams, but essentially what it boils down to is how well we do against the Big Ten and teams in our region. So we're going to focus on doing as well as we can and take care of that."
On rebounding from Inverness...
"We just need to come in with a stronger mindset and focus. We lost a little bit of our mental edge last week, so we're just not going to let the other teams get to us this week. We're going to stick to our game and not worry about any one else. I'm going to try to hang in there and realize there are 54 holes of golf to play - not 18, not 36 - you've got to play all 54. If I do that I'll be okay."
Steve Cuzzort
On his first tournament as a Spartan...
"I can't wait. I've been looking forward to it for two years now. I just need to stay within myself and not worry about the pressure that's put on me as a freshman. I need to go out there and play my game, play how I normally play."
On the team's goals...
"I think a top five finish would be really solid for us. We're definitely capable of winning this, and in my mind we should, but top five is our goal. We just need to get four good scores in. The two leaders are definitely going to be where they're supposed to be, and if myself and the others can step up, I think we should be right there."
On the competing against Big Ten teams early in the season...
"Each year you never know what you're going to get with the Big Ten. It's definitely good to see what they're made of because down the road, that's what the rankings are going to be based on for regionals."
 After redshirting last season, freshman Grant Tungate will make his first collegiate start this week at the Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge.  | |
Grant Tungate
On making his Spartan debut this week...
"I'm obviously really excited, especially since it's such a big tournament and we get to play against so many good teams and players. I just need to go out there, stay within myself, and not be distracted by what anyone else is doing out there. I have to do my thing, prepare how I always do, and play my own game."
On what the team is looking forward to this week...
"We're looking forward to a chance to compete against some teams and players we never get to see from the West Coast. It's going to be a really good experience for us, and I think our program is to the point where we can compete with teams like those. It's just a matter of going out, getting it done, and not being distracted by the names."
On the team's goals for the week...
"We need to go out and play solid, smart golf. We need to make sure our bad scores aren't as bad as they've been lately, take our lumps and stick with it, and put the best number up."
Matt Harmon
On starting the season with two top-five finishes...
"It's a nice start, a lot better than last year's start. But those are done, and I'm looking forward to the future and hopefully we can get some wins under our belt. I feel like I'm playing well, getting better and better every day."
On the team's mindset after Inverness...
"After Inverness we were a little down on ourselves, but we really came back and had some real competitive qualifying. I think that's good and boosted everyone up a little bit, and everybody played pretty well. I think we just need to go out there and take it one shot at a time and then add them up at the end. This is a big learning year for us, with no seniors and little tournament experiences. There's going to be our ups and downs; we'll have our good times and bad times."
On the opportunity to compete with top Pac-10 teams...
"It's always fun to see everybody. The Pac-10 has always been a really good golf conference. California won the NCAA Championship two years ago, and USC is really high in the rankings right now, so it'll be a good test."
Players Mentioned
