Individual scores enhanced by team unification The Bisons golf team won the Central Baptist College Invitational and finished third in the Bison Golf Classic, setting a record for the school's lowest score in the fall of2006. Their secret ingredi– ent: teamwork and dedication ro the sport. "We spend a lot of time on the course, obviously, about four or five hours a day," senior Ryan Applegate said. ''After that we go ro the cafeteria or Out to dinner. We're all very close." Head coach N icky Boyd said the team grew closer in practice because of friendly competition. Applegate said that in practice all 10 team members tried ro qualify for tournaments, but only the five lowest scorers made the cut. He said this competition encouraged each team member to match the accomplishments of his fellow teammates. "We're bener for [the competition]," Applegate added. "By pushing each other, we get ro that next [skill] level. We don't want to lose." Although the team's points were combined to make a rotal score at the end of every tournament, each member was individually matched up against a golfer from an opposing school during the rournamencs. Each team consisted of five players and the four lowest scores were used to determine which team won the match. SCffiECPRD Bisons CBC Invitational •••••••••••••••••••••••• I of 8 OBU Invitational •••••••••••••••••••••••• 4 of 9 Bison Fall Classic' •••••••••••••••••••••• 3 of I I Derrall Foreman Invitational' •••••••••••••• 10 of 22 Lady Bisons CBC Golf Classic' ••••••••••••••••••••••• I of 3 Bubb Watson Invitational ••••••••••••••••• I I of 12 OCU Star Classic' ••••••••••••••••••••• I 2 of I 2 Despite the team being separated from each other on the green, Applegate said they still communicated with each other during matches. "Mostly we'll communicate through the coach," Applegate said. "He drives around in a golf cart. H e'll come by and ask how we're playing, bring us drinks and tell us how everyone else is playing." Applegate also said team members communicated with one another us ing nonverbal communication. "We'll know who'splayingwell ""d who isn't," Applegate said. "Passing hole-to-hole, we'll kind ofwave at each other; we'll give each other a thumbs– up if we're playing well or a thumbs-down if we're playing badly." Applegate said the positive team chemistry offof the green was helpful to the success of the team on the course. "We all get along," Applegate said. "That makes it easier. You don't want drama on the team." Coach Boyd said the Bisons would play in five or six matches in the spring, including the Gulf South Conference championship in April. Applegate said this year's team played well. "Overall for the team, this is probably the best we've played in a while, especially since I've been here," Applegate said. -Carson Fant In a practice swing, senior Ryan Applegate follows through Oct. 20. The men's team placed first of eight teams in the Central Baptist Invitational on Sept. 4. -Amber Bazargani
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