Published: April 24, 2008 11:33 pm            

COLLEGE GOLF: NU swings for first MAAC golf title

The Niagara men’s golf team hasn’t yet found the Disney magic required to win a conference championship, but the Purple Eagles are getting warmer.

Double-strapped by the long winters of Western New York, it’s difficult for NU to get much quality time on the golf course prior to an annual trip to balmy Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship tournament at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course.

“We play in a lot of cold and rain,” coach Kevin Miller said this week. “Guys get out there swinging, but it doesn’t do much for playing proper golf when the course is wet.”

Niagara has finished among the top five in each of the past four tournaments, but will be seeking its first MAAC title when today’s opening round of play begins.

Miller hopes a greater emphasis on playing in warmer climates during the season will pay off at MAACs. The Purple Eagles drove down to North Carolina to practice over spring break and spent last weekend playing in near-90-degree weather at the Navy Spring Invititational in Annapolis, Md.

“We tried to put them in better playing conditions, so when MAAC championship time came, they are ready,” Miller said.

Loyola, which is based near Baltimore and enjoys the best home weather of all the MAAC programs, is one of the tournament favorites, along with Siena.

“I think we have a good chance of winning the tournament,” senior captain Mike Jarvis told PurpleEagles.com, “if we play as well as we did in the first round at Navy.”

The Purple Eagles were tied for second after the first day of the Navy Spring Invitational, thanks to a season-low 71 (even par) from No. 3 player Chris Singleton, a 72 from Jarvis, and a 73 from No. 4 Jason Polka, a sophomore from Lewiston.

Only Jarvis performed well on Sunday, and the team finished eighth in a field of 18. Polka, in particular, struggled, shooting an 83.

Miller said he’s confident Polka will perform better at the MAAC tournament.

“He’s a steady, consistent player,” Miller said. “Traditionally he’s pretty strong. I can count on him to be in the mid-70s.”

Don Bryson, the Purple Eagles’ No. 2 golfer, is somewhat of a “perfectionist,” Miller said, who thrives in better conditions.

Jarvis, who has placed in the top 10 at the last two MAAC tournaments, has a legitimate chance to compete for the individual championship.

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

        

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