Rice University Athletics
The First Tee
9/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 20, 2009
After a summer that saw several members of the team play well at regional and national amateur events, Rice University's golf team opens the fall season Monday at the 2009 UTA/Waterchase Invitational.
Host Texas-Arlington is the defending team champion for the event which will be played at Waterchase Golf Club (par 72, 7,304 yards) in Fort Worth. The tournament is scheduled for 36 holes on Monday with the final 18 holes being played on Tuesday.
The Owls' five-player team for this week includes junior Michael Whitehead who won the South Texas Amateur by six strokes as well as incoming freshman Jade Scott who captured the 37th Southern Junior Championship. Senior Chris Brown also had a solid summer, advancing to the semifinals of the Texas Golf Association's 2009 Public Links Championship and tying for sixth at the College Players Tour National Championship.
Also playing this week at Waterchase is senior Michael Buttacavoli and sophomore Benjamin Thorseth.
Buttacavoli missed the spring season after undergoing knee surgery. Last fall he led the team with a 73.64 strokes-per-round average, finishing second at the Pacific Invitational. He was named a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
"I wouldn't say he is 100 percent, but playing at 80 or 90 percent, Michael is still very good and I think every day he is getting better, stronger and more confident," said Drew Scott, who begins his fifth season as the Owls' head coach. "It was a big loss losing him last year. He is someone who almost won two college tournaments and has been a solid player for us. We will have to see how he holds up, but I am excited about having him back in the lineup as a senior."
"We have three of our top performers from last year in the lineup - Michael Whitehead, Michael Buttacavoli and Chris Brown. They are our top players as far as experience and the number of tournaments they have played during their careers," Scott said. "Plus we have Jade Scott and Ben Thorseth traveling this week. I'm excited about seeing what they can do in a tournament."
Thorseth played in just two events as a freshman last year. He struggled during The Prestige at PGA West last fall but playing as an individual at the 9th Rice Intercollegiate in the spring had a solid finish, tying for 36th.
After strong performances in amateur tournaments and during the CPT's summer events, the Owls will look to bring a different mindset to the collegiate season.
Instead of focusing on individual play, the collegiate season compels five players to look at a bigger picture.
"From a mental standpoint, yes it is tough, because sometimes you have to play conservatively, especially if you are not playing well because your round may count toward a team score," Scott said. You have to think on a larger scale and how your score may impact a team's round."
One thing that sets Rice apart, Scott said, is the fact the Owls really don't have one dominate player. Last year, Buttacavoli, Whitehead and Brown all were named Conference USA's Player of the Week during the season.
"I think anybody can play No. 1," said Scott. "It is just about who performs best during the tournaments."
Look at the 2009-10 Rice Owls
Brown and Buttacavoli both enter their senior seasons at Rice.
Brown tallied a team-high five, Top 20 finishes last year as a junior, including a runner-up finish at the 9th Rice Intercollegiate. He played in 11 of the Owls' 12 events last year and over 32 rounds of golf had a 74.16 stroke average.
"Christopher has played in more events on this team than anybody," Scott said. "He is a player we can depend on for consistent low scores. I know he is excited about this year and hoping that the team has some great finishes."
Buttacavoli is back in the lineup after being sidelined for the spring.
"He has had some injuries that have dampened his overall career at Rice, but I am very excited to see what kind of senior year he has."
Whitehead continues a streak of playing every event of his Rice career as the Owls travel to Fort Worth this week. The junior was the team's top qualifier for this week's season opener.
"I know he has not played as well as he would have liked in actual events, but I think that time is coming soon," Scott said. "He is one of the most experienced players on the team with 24 events under his belt, and I know he is excited to get the season started and with some high individual finishes, he is going to help the team succeed.
Thorseth was the runner-up at the Young Houstonian played at Memorial Park.
"He has played well the past two weeks, qualifying fifth, and will be traveling to our first event," said Scott. "We will just see how he plays, and hopefully with some good rounds, he will be able to build on the confidence he has gained over the past months.
Scott will be playing in his first collegiate tournament this week.
"Jade's game is going to translate pretty quickly to the college level from what he has been showing," Scott said. "He showed that this summer when he finished in the Top 30 at the Texas State Amateur."
The balance of the Rice roster is led by junior Robert Burrow who was one of two golfers to play in all 12 events last year and averaged 75.80 strokes. He posted three, Top 15 finishes during his first season at Rice.
"Robert had a great summer, qualifying for the U.S. Amateur but did not play well there, but the fact that he qualified was a great accomplishment," Scott said. "Unfortunately, he is a little off on his game right now and will not be traveling this week but hopefully he will have it back for our next event at Louisiana Tech. I know he is a hard worker and will be in the lineup very soon."
Also back this year is junior Tim Pawul and sophomores Erik Mayer and Tommy Mitchell.
"Tim played in five events last spring and had a couple good finishes," Scott said. "He is still improving his game and has done nothing but become better since he got to Rice. We still need him to take another couple steps forward to solidify himself in the upper echelon of the team."
Mayer played in three events as a freshman and played just three qualifying round this fall while battling the flu.
"He is still a little rusty but hopefully Erik will be able to make the lineup sometime this year," Scott said. "He is a good ball striker and he just needs to get comfortable playing at the collegiate level."
Mitchell's lone action last year came at the Rice Intercollegiate.
"Tommy is similar to Erik Mayer in that he is still trying to get used to the level of play he is going to have to reach to make the starting lineup," Scott said. "He is a hard worker and still has a long way to go before cracking the starting lineup."
In addition to Scott, the Owls welcome one other freshman with the addition of Brock Wilson.
Wilson just missed qualifying for the season opener, finishing sixth in the team standings.
"Brock had a great junior career but struggled as a high school senior," Scott said. "I really feel like he is on the right path and improving every day. We're excited about seeing him in the lineup sometime this fall, if not at some point later in the year.
2009-10 Rice Schedule
Rice plays a schedule dominated by regional events. The Owls' fall slate includes two tournaments in Texas and three events in Louisiana.
The Owls will play in the Lone Star Shootout Oct. 18-19. The tournament will feature the Top 12 programs from the state of Texas playing at Briggs Ranch Golf Club. Rice will also travel to the David Toms Invitational hosted by LSU later in the month of October.
Rice will open the spring season when the team plays host to the 10th Annual Rice Intercollegiate presented by Srixon.
"I am really excited about our home event," Scott said. "Auburn's going to be there along with Kansas, Nebraska, Houston and defending champion Pacific. Hopefully we can improve on our second-place finish in the tournament last year."
The spring slate also includes the 59th Border Olympics played at Laredo Country Club as well as the Reunion Intercollegiate which is being hosted by Ole Miss in Madison, Miss.
The Conference USA Championship returns in late April to Red Tail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla., for a second straight year.
Players Mentioned
