FSU GOLF LOOKS TO DEFEND DIVISION II TITLE AT PGA MINORITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Broncos have won the past four years

May 4, 2010
 
FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Raymond McDougal is hoping history repeats itself at the 24th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship in Port St. Lucie, FL.
 
McDougal, FSU’s head coach, has led the Broncos to four consecutive Division II titles at the event and will try to guide FSU to a fifth straight beginning on Friday. The three-day tournament will conclude on Sunday.
 
“We’re excited for this opportunity,” said McDougal. “Our guys think they have a chance to defend their title.  We won’t be as sharp as we were in previous years, but we’ll do the very best we can.”
 
The Broncos’ last event, was a second place finish at the CIAA Championships in Fort Lee, VA. McDougal believes his team has gotten stronger in the three weeks since finishing nine strokes behind champion Virginia State.
 
“We’ve been practicing every time we’ve had an opportunity,” he said. “The players are out of school now and they don’t have any pressure on them. I think that can help us a little bit.”
Last year at the Minority Championships, FSU shot a 6-under-par, 858 over three days to top Lincoln (MO) University by 34 strokes.
 
The 2010 team returned two players from last year’s squad – Jeremy Ringled and William McClure. Ringled finished the 2009 Minority Championships with an even score, 216, good for a ranking of a third-place tie. McClure finished in a tie for 22nd with a 247.
 
McDougal expects the two to provide leadership during the tournament.
 
“They’ve talked to some of the guys about certain holes,” McDougal said. “Of course, every year it’s a new situation. I think on all the golf courses right now, the greens seem to be a problem everywhere.”
 
Freshmen Jedidiah Frazier and Matt Crescenzo have had excellent seasons for FSU.
 
Frazier, a native of Havelock, NC, has shot 10-over-par or less at three tournaments this year and has finished ninth or better five times, including a seventh-place finish at the CIAA Championships.
 
Crescenzo, from Celtonham, PA, was the only FSU player to win a tournament this season. At the CIAA Eastern Division Meet in March, Crescenzo’s 7-over-par, 151 helped win in the tournament on the first hole of a playoff. On the season, Crescenzo’s 5-over-par average is the best on the Broncos’ team.
 
“We’re hoping that they will continue to play and improve,” said McDougal. “But everything is new to them and the newness could be a handicap. They’ve had enough experience, on many golf courses, so they should be able to make the adjustment. We’ve gotten a whole lot out of those two new players.”