McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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208 Golf “ afternoon tournament, just hé @ © his dog. . . or phy sR BILLY GABBERT gets ready for 2

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World of... ee Holland, 1987 Southland Conferen ce Coach of the year, and the 1987 SLC Defending Co-Champions (along with Northeast Louisiana) took to the courts vying for another championship and a chance for some of the players to reach the NCAA tournament. With four returning All-SLC performers, the squad prepared to face the competition on a sizzling court. The Cowboys opened their Spring season on February 4 against Tulane and then began trav- eling across the country everywhere from Las Vegas, Nevada to Tallahassee, Florida. The Pokes opened conference play in Lake Charles March 26, sweeping the North Texas State team 9-0 without a single losing set. Throughout the season, the team maintained either a first place standing or a tie for first place. The Cowboys completed their winning season with a 20-4 re- cord and a national ranking in the Top 25 for the first time ever. The seven member team includes: Pontus Lavefalf, SLC No. 1 Singles Champion 1986 and 1987, Louisiana Tennis Player of the Year 1986, All-Louisiana Team 1987; Johan Kjellsten, 25th in the nation 1987, No. 3 Singles SLC Champion, SLC No. 2 Doubles Title 1987; Ulf Persson, All- SLC 1987, SLC No. 2 Doubles Title 1987; Axel Reich, All-SLC 1987, No. 5 and No. 6 Singles SLC Champion 1987; Ulf Nicklasson, 20-3 record No. 2 Singles 1987; Erich Reich, freshman; and Tim Goodwin, also a new team member. Pat Breen served as graduate assistant for the team. Head coach Lee Holland is in his eighth season as tennis coach and he is one of the most suc- cessful tennis;coaches in McNeese history. In the last five years, his teams have won two con- ference titles and two runner-up positions. He has also received several Coach of the Year awards. He says of his team, “'l really feel that the top of our lineup can match up with any team in the country.” Holland felt that their only weakness was their small number of players, a fact which kept them from the conference championship. However, the size of the team did not hinder the quality of play and the effort put forth by the members to complete another successful season. @) Tennis 207

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bid for the Southland Con- ference Championship was well-deserved by the eight member McNeese Golf Team. The team played one of its best Fall sea- sons ever and the Spring season fol- lowed suit. Coach Ellis Guillory knew that he had the team that could take the Conference Championship; and the team and he worked hard toward earning the title, although they even- tually fell just short of their goal. With three returning seniors, two having red-shirted the 1987 season, the McNeese Golf team looked for- ward to its best season ever. Billy Gabbert, 1985 Hal Sutton Champion, 1986 Louisiana Amateur Runnerup and 1986 Lake Charles Champion; Keith Harris, 1987 Louisiana Colle- giate Champion, 1987 Lake Charles City Champion, and All-Louisiana for 1985, 1986 and 1987; Pat Mahoney, 1987 Northeast Louisiana Invitational Champ and 20th in 1987 Southland Conference; and Kurt Schoppe, Fourth in 1987 SLC, 1987 All-SLC and 1986 All Louisiana are the four players that set the pace for the Cowboy team. Completing the squad are Laurence David (Jr.), Kelly Hicke, (Jr.), Lucas Siorois, (Jr.) and Steve Bratcher (Soph.). McNeese opened its fall season at the Northeast Louisiana Invitational in Monroe with a second place team score of 874, just behind the 872 game of the Southwest Texas team. Mahoney received individual honors by claiming the first lace spot in the tournament. From a great beginning the team moved on to the Texas Invitational in Grand Prairie where they compiled a total of 654. At the Hal Sutton Invitational in Shreve- port, the team grabbed the Cham- pionship with a score of 580; and at the last tournament of the fall sea- son, the Louisiana Intercollegiate in Shreveport, the team once again earned honors by winning second place with Keith Harris receiving the championship honors. The team resumed play on Feb- ruary 28 for the Spring Season at the Pepsi Cola Invitational in Jackson, Mississippi. Moving to the New Or- leans Classic, March 6-8, the team placed second while Billy Gabbert captured the championship. The Cowboys hosted the Moe O’Brien Invitational at the Lake Charles Country Club April 13-15. The McNeese golf team hosted the 25th Southland Conference Golf Championship for only the second time ever. The tournament was held at the Mallard Cove Golf Course; al- though the team had the home ad- vantage as well as the support of numerous spectators, they were able to finish only behind Stephen F. Austin. Continued on page 210. ) Golf 209