Upcoming Event: Men's Golf versus Williams Cup on October 19, 2025
Men's Golf
vs Williams Cup
2000-2001 Season Outlook
2/19/2001 12:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 19, 2001
With a solid core of players returning to a team that finished sixth in a tough conference last season, the feeling throughout the Utah men's golf team will be disappointment if this season isn't successful. The members of the 2000-01 golf team consider success as qualifying for the NCAA West Regional.
Coach Wayne Fisher welcomes back Clint Christiansen, Shawn Edwards, Ryan Ellis, Brock Padilla, Jason Shepherd and Bruce Summerhays, Jr. Of those six, four were major contributors to the team last season, especially co-captains Edwards and Ellis.
Ellis was the lone Ute to qualify for the NCAA West Regional last season, finishing 18th, and should use that as a spring board to lead this year's team. "Ryan's experience at the NCAA Regional allowed him to see the level of play we are trying to achieve," Fisher said. "Hopefully he will carry that over to the team this year."
Because of their depth the Utes are quietly optimistic about their chances this year. "We have more depth and talent than any team since I became coach," says Fisher, who is in his sixth year at the helm. "We also have more things in place that should help us compete, including our conditioning program and practice schedule."
This year's schedule is very balanced with tournaments that will provide a lot of national exposure and others that should allow the Utes to be competitive. The schedule stays fairly consistent from year-to-year, which allows the players to get familiar with the courses, and thus be competitive each week.
"We expect team victories this year," Fisher said about a goal that hasn't been reached often in the past. "Our main goal this year is to qualify for the NCAA West Regional, and we have no reason not to expect that."
Playing in the Mountain West Conference allows the team to see how it measures up to some of the top teams in the country. "There really isn't a weak program in the conference," Fisher claims. "With teams like UNLV, BYU, and New Mexico, we get to play with teams that are competing for a national championship."
Senior Shawn Edwards will get a chance to prove himself this year. Fisher's first recruit is a co-captain this year and is eager to lead the team. Edwards is coming off a solid junior season in which he was in contention at every tournament he entered, including a first-place tie at the Nevada Wolfpack Classic.
"Shawn has grown as a golfer and a person," Fisher says. "He has displayed everything a player and a Ute should be."
Ryan Ellis made a smooth transition to Division I golf after transferring from UVSC a year ago. He didn't have a bad tournament last season and finished the year strong. This season Ellis knows what he expects of himself and what he wants the team to achieve.
"Ryan has great leadership qualities on and off the course," Fisher says of Ellis.
With his appearance at the NCAA West Regional last season, Ellis understands what it takes to be a national contender and should use that knowledge this season. He shot a 4-under par in the regional, falling short of qualifying for the NCAA Championships by two strokes.
Clint Christiansen has been somewhat of an unknown on the Utah team. He has competed in only 10 tournaments during his three years with the team, but has been solid in all of them. The years spent with the team should help Clint become a major contributor this season and he will add to the team depth "Clint is one of the most steady players we have had in years," Fisher says.
With 29 tournaments under his belt, Brock Padilla is one of the most experienced golfers on the team. "Brock just continues to have good tournaments," Fisher says. "He probably had more talent coming out of high school than anyone on the team."
In his senior season, Padilla is expecting good things of himself due to his play in the past. As well as he's played, neither he nor Fisher think he's reached his potential. Everyone is confident that will change this season.
Jason Shepherd comes into the season following an up-and-down 1999-2000 season. He worked hard during the summer to improve and is expected to be a contributing member on this year's team. He has only played in five tournaments, but in 1998-99 his average finish was 24th.
"With his hard work during the summer, I expect Jason to rebound with a solid junior year," Fisher says.
Bruce Summerhays, Jr. was a redshirt last season. Expectations are high for him because of his family pedigree. His father, Bruce Summerhays, Sr., is a regular on the Senior PGA Tour.
"It is exciting to have a Summerhays back in the program," says Fisher. "With Bruce's talent and background, I am expecting good things for years to come."
JC transfer Paul Winterowd comes to Utah after a great career at Dixie. He finished in the top 15 at the 2000 JC Nationals. His experience in big events should give the Utes another leader on the course.
"Paul has tons of JC credentials," says Fisher. "He is ready to prove he can compete at the next level."
The lone freshman on this year's team is Luke Swilor. Swilor is said to be one of the top two players coming out of high school from the state of Utah. With his results during the summer, Swilor has already exceeded the expectations Fisher had of him.
"Luke could be one of the best players to ever go through this program," Fisher says. "His experience on the national level an in local amateur and open tournaments makes him another solid addition to this year's team."
In his sixth year as head coach of the Utes, Fisher knows how good this team can be. He has been with the program for 10 years, first serving as an assistant to longtime coach Ron Branca. He also lettered four years at Utah, and in 1997 he was named Utah Section PGA Teacher of the Year.
"In the past our teams haven't expected enough of themselves," Fisher says. "With all the talent on this team we have raised the bar. Each player is working harder to raise his own level this year so that we can compete at the top in the conference as a team".
Fisher concludes, "In golf you can't replace experience and talent. This team has both." If this is true, then achieving their goals should be no problem for the Utes.
Utah Golf Head Coach Garrett Clegg interview | NCAA Preview
Friday, May 09
University of Utah Athletics - A Storied History
Friday, August 02
Role models. Trailblazers. Legends. Celebrating our #AAPI student-athletes this month and always.
Monday, May 20
Job isn’t done. On to Nationals 🙌
Friday, May 17