Guilford College has a prestigious golf history and has the chance to expand upon that history within the next two years. Guilford is to host the Division III NCAA Golf Championships at the Grandover Resort for the 2014 and 2015 season.
The resort’s website says the course offers “tree lined fairways (which) provide a seasonal blaze of color offering our guests the feeling of being in a nature preserve in America’s heartland of golf.”
“We enjoyed our experience with Grandover and the Sports Commission in 2011 and look forward to again showcasing our college and city,” said Tom Palombo, Guilford Athletic Director, in an interview with the Guilford Beacon. “Guilford’s strong tradition in national golf tournaments and Greensboro’s reputation as a top-notch host make this event a great fit for our community.”
Several members of the golf team see the tremendous benefit that accompanies the championship being hosted on Guilford’s “home course”.
“It will be big for us, we are able to play out there often and know that course well,” said senior All-American Noah Ratner. “It will give most of us a better opportunity for our families to see us. It is much closer to most of us than Florida.”
Sophomore Mitch Robinette echoes the sentiment.
“In golf, being familiar with a course is a serious advantage, almost like having a home football game,” said Robinette. “The crowd is there, cheering for your team, which boosts confidence, and being on a golf course you are comfortable with (also) boosts your confidence, which normally leads to success.”
For the most part, the team recognizes the chance they have in hosting the national championship, but beyond that they see the potential legacy that they can leave behind.
“I know I can look back right now and say ‘Wow, what a great career it has been.’ I still want more though and so does our team,” said Ratner. “A national championship is the (first) thing we want.”
Junior golfer Jon Montgomery recognizes the potential opportunity that Grandover Resort course offers for him.
“For the next two years, I get the chance to play on a familiar course,” said Montgomery. “This puts me in a great position to create success for myself, and my team and I look forward to it.”
Members of the Guilford student body also see it as an important occurrence that Guilford will host the Division III golf championships.
“It is great. Being a part of the cadre program this past year, there weren’t many events on campus to give the students a chance to see sports teams in action,” said junior Gideon Brown. “With the golf championships here in Greensboro, there will be an opportunity for students and fans to watch the team in action.”
On a more personal side of the matter, one fan has a close connection with the golf team.
“I have a good amount of friends on the team,” said junior Saegan Hilliard. “The fact that they will be playing so close to home gives me the opportunity to see them perform in the biggest events in their careers. Plus, it’s a privilege to see players such as Noah Ratner and Jon Montgomery play.”
