Expectations high for Blue Raider golfers

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Veteran Middle Tennessee men's golf coach Johnny Moore is as excited as he's ever been about a Blue Raider squad entering the spring season, which begins Sunday at the Gado/North Texas Classic in Guadalajara, Mexico. There's certainly reason for optimism as the Blue Raiders return the bulk of their squad in 2007 and it comes on the heels of an outstanding fall season in which sophomore standouts Rick Cochran and Chas Narramore earned Sun Belt Conference Golfers of the Month in September and October, respectively. Talent is abundant but it's the work ethic that has Moore most pleased in his 18th season leading the Blue Raiders. "I like their work ethic as well as any team I have had here," Moore said. "They seem to feed off one another. I believe we have very good balance. We have more players vying for those fourth, fifth, and sixth spots than we have ever had in the lineup. If someone is not playing well they can easily be replaced in the lineup and they know that. It makes for great competition. "I'm very excited about getting started and the guys are ready to go. I'm anticipating a great spring for us." Middle Tennessee will take six golfers to its opening tournament of the spring. Making the travel team for the North Texas Classic are Cochran, Narramore, Nick Bailes, Bart Barnes, Spencer Provow, and Craig Smith. In addition to these six, Kent Bulle and Derrick Bright also will be competing for time this spring. Barnes finished strong in the fall while Provow's play leading into the spring has been extremely encouraging and provides the Blue Raiders with a pair of veterans who have demonstrated the ability to play at a high level. "(Provow) has been playing as well as he has all year, and Barnes came on strong at the end of the fall," Moore said. "These two seniors realize this is their last spring and they want to go out on a high note." Bailes, who enters the spring with 27 tournaments and 81 total rounds under his belt, is the most experienced of the Blue Raiders and he's being counted on to play at a higher level than he did in the fall when he had just one Top 10 finish. Along with Bailes, Cochran and Narramore have been solid during their sophomore season and Smith, a redshirt freshman, has been steady and solid. In fact, Smith won both qualifiers during February. "Bailes will be a leader. He struggled in the fall but he has worked hard and is ready to go," Moore said. "He is the leader up front, along with (Cochran and Narramore). All of the guys have worked extremely hard this winter. I'm looking forward to the start of the spring season."

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Nick Bailes

Bart Barnes

Derrick Bright

Kent Bulle

Rick Cochran

Chas Narramore

Spencer Provow

Craig Smith

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