Nova Southeastern is the No. 1-ranked men's golf team in NCAA Division II.
CONOVER, N.C. -- One. It’s just a number.
Ranked first in NCAA Division II men’s golf heading into this week’s national championship, Nova Southeastern would appear to be the favorite. Head coach Ryan Jamison, however, isn’t quite so sure being there before play begins is as important as being there after it ends.
Jamison, in his third year at Nova Southeastern, understands any pre-tournament ranking doesn’t come with mulligans or subtracted strokes.
“[Being ranked first] shows you that you’ve had a good year this year, but ultimately, when you get to the final tournament, everybody starts from scratch,” Jamison said. “Honestly, it doesn’t place a target on your back.
Former head coach Garrett Runion led Nova Southeastern to its only DII national crown in 2012. Jamison came on board a year later, and the Sharks wound up third in the national championship tournament held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, followed by a second-place last year in Conover.
Jamison wants to win another title this time, but he also wants his team to also have fun. His five golfers make up an international squad, if ever there was one: Colombian Santiago Gomez, Swede Oscar Lengden, Englishman Richard Mansell, Priyanshu Singh from India and American Ethan Marcus.
“My style is about them being loose,” Jamison said. “It evolves. It unfolds. It depends on what a team needs. I truly do believe in the guys being loose. They have to have everything that every other team has to have, but I really like it when they’re loose.
Staying loose under pressure is difficult but Jamison has confidence in his team.
“We’ll do the same things we’ve always done the whole year,” Jamison said. “I believe everybody’s a creature of habit. I don’t think you change anything you’ve done throughout the year. We’re going to prepare the same way we’ve prepared all year. This is a tournament with a little bit more on the line, and everybody knows that. They’re not numb to that.
What’s important now is that the Sharks be at the top of their game. Jamison knows that there’s always going to be room for improvement.
A second national championship for Nova Southeastern's trophy case? Jamison would dearly love that.