Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Cochran's work doesn't go unnoticed
10/11/2006 4:26:00 PM | Men's Golf
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Rick Cochran has had an outstanding start to the 2006 fall golf season and the sophomore linkster's excellent contributions did not go unnoticed as he was named Sun Belt Conference Golfer of the Month for September.
A Paducah, Ky., native, Cochran became the first male golfer at Middle Tennessee to earn the honor since the Blue Raiders joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2000-01.
"It's nice to be recognized because everybody thinks they are good enough but to get that award is an honor," Cochran said. "It helps you understand where you are in your game and it's nice to see all the hard work you put in during the summer pay off."
Cochran earned the honor after turning in a pair of Top 5 finishes in his first two tournaments of the fall. The sophomore was second (out of 90) at the Scenic City Invitational at The Honors Course in Chattanooga, and he followed that solid performance with another stellar showing at the Jaguar Intercollegiate, where he finished fourth (out of 77 players).
"I certainly think Rick deserved the honor and I know that's my opinion but I just don't see how anyone could play any better than he did (during September), especially on those two difficult courses," Middle Tennessee Head Golf Coach Johnny Moore said. "He's played very solid this fall and it's a great honor for him and our program to earn this award, especially as a sophomore."
Cochran, who leads all Sun Belt golfers with a 71.17 average through two tournaments, says the consistency with which he is playing was top priority entering the season. He had some strong moments as a freshman, finishing fourth in one tournament and seventh in another; however, stability throughout the year lacked and that bothered the focused competitor.
"I was hoping to help the team out a little more this year than I did last year," Cochran said. "In order to do that I needed to be a more consistent golfer instead of shooting high numbers one week and low the next. I came out of the summer hitting my irons really well and putting well. That confidence carried over into the first couple of tournaments."
Cochran shot sub-par golf in four of his six rounds in the September tournaments, including three in succession. In those two tournaments he posted four rounds of 70 or better with a career-low 67 at The Honors Course, which was two shots off a course record. That showing had folks in Chattanooga mentioning Cochran's name in the same conversation as the world's greatest golfer - Tiger Woods.
In the almost 23-year history of The Honors Course Tiger Woods owns the competitive record of 65, which he shot during the 1996 NCAA Championships, while David Duval fired a 64 there while playing with members. Three years ago new tees were added and the course was lengthened to its current playing yardage of a little more than 7,200 yards.
Through the first two tournaments considered for voting purposes, Cochran shot 5-under and consistently played championship-caliber golf.
"I think when Rick came to us he knew how to hit golf shots but I don't think he knew how to play golf as well as he could," Moore said. "He has learned how to control his emotions. He doesn't play safe and back off when he has a bad hole. His greatest improvement from his freshman year to his sophomore year has been game management."
Cochran is managing his game as well as anyone in the country this fall. He is third nationally in total short game (.800), and he is eighth nationally in par-5 scoring (4.38).
