Despite being in only its second season of existence, the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's golf program is enjoying unprecedented success. The team was ranked 20th in the nation in the Golfstat Oct. 15 NAIA men's golf rankings. The ranking comes only two weeks after the Saints cracked the top 25.
Golf Coach Eric Moore understands the importance of the exposure that comes with a national ranking.
[The ranking] means the ability to recruit," said Moore. "It also helps to gain respect from other teams."
The ability to recruit future golfers is important to Moore and the Saints, as they look to add additional quality golfers to the men's team. Currently, the men's squad has seven golfers.
Moore sees potential for both teams as they near the end of the fall schedule, and look ahead to the spring in February. For the men, the team's goals are to make it to the national tournament and be competitive, said Moore.
"If they play like they're capable, we have a good shot," said Moore. "It starts with conference, and then everything else will take care of itself."
Leading the men this year are freshman Aaron Flores and sophomore Adam Palacios. Flores is a 2009 graduate of Holy Cross High School, and Palacios is in his second year with the program at OLLU.
Moore will be leading the squad into its last competitions of the season as he looks to prepare them for the upcoming spring tournaments. The men will compete Oct. 26 in the Northwood University Tournament and Nov. 9 in the Holy Names University Tournament.