By Gavin Lapaille
The University of Louisville men’s golf team is in the middle of one of the most successful seasons in the history of the program. Although fairly young, the team has won five of the seven tournaments entered, earning a top 20 ranking nationally.
After ending the fall season with four victories, the Cards began their spring season with a fourth place finish at the Rio Pinar Invitational and a victory at the Mission Inn Invitational. The five victories have already set a school record, and the team only looks to improve.
“We have had a great season so far,” said U of L head coach Mark Crabtree. “We have had tremendous contributions for each of our starters. I am impressed with this group and their focus, effort and determination throughout the season.”
Leading the way for the Cards are junior twin brothers Derek and Daryl Fauthauer. The twins have been two of the top performers throughout their careers as Cardinals and this season has been no different. One of the twins has been the team’s highest finisher in six of the seven tournaments U of L has entered.
Derek became the first U of L golfer ever to be named to the Ben Hogan Award watch list and was also named one of GolfWorld’s top 50 collegiate golfers to watch for this season. He has backed up both nominations with his strong play, winning two individual titles so far. Derek has also recorded the two lowest single round scores for the Cards and leads the team in stroke average with an 18-hole average of 72.28.
After struggling at the beginning of the year, Daryl has begun to turn things around in the spring season with back-to-back top five finishes in the first two tournaments. He has placed in the top ten a total of four times this season and is third on the team in stroke average.
“I had a rough first semester, but I have gotten some great advice from Coach Crabtree and I have worked pretty hard on my game,” said Daryl. “That’s why this spring has been more successful for me.”
Sophomore Adam Hadwin has been one of the team’s most consistent players throughout the season. In each of the seven tournaments the team has entered, Hadwin has been one of the top two performers for the Cards all but once. He is second on the team in stroke average and currently holds the lowest total score for a Cardinal golfer in a tournament with a 206. Hadwin has four top ten finishes, including one top five.
“I’ve put myself in a position to win four out of the seven events so far so I am happy about that,” said Hadwin. “I just need to find a way to break through and win a tournament.”
Freshman Lewis Kirton has played in all tournaments for U of L this season, finishing in the top 20 three times.
Later this season, the Cards will have the home course advantage, as the Big East championships will be held at the Cardinal Club April 22 – 24. The team will then move on to a NCAA Regional before hopefully landing at the NCAA Championships May 31 – June 2 in Williamsburg, Va.
“We are very excited that Big East is at our home course this year,” said Hadwin. “We’re able to play the course every day so we’re going to have a huge course advantage on the other teams.”
Next is the USA Springs Classic in Mobile, Ala., March 26-27.
U of L will have one more tournament before the Big East Championships.
