Golf team ends season with 2nd-place finish in SLIAC tournament

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The two-time defending conference champion Webster University men’s golf team went through an inconsistent year as it saw its season come to an end on Wednesday, April 24 at Forest Park Golf Course. The Gorloks placed second in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament with a second place finish, 37 strokes behind Spalding University (Ky.) who had a record-setting tournament.

Kyler Scott

Webster shot, 289, 307, and 295 for a total of 891 (+ 51 as a team). Spalding led the way from Day 1 and never looked back as the Golden Eagles captured their first golf title since they joined the SLIAC in 2010.

This year’s score in the SLIAC tournament would have given Webster the conference crown in past years, coach Andrew Belsky said.

“(Webster) played three rounds that in previous years would have easily won the conference tournament, especially in the weather conditions they played really well,” Belsky said. “They performed the way I expected them too, and this is what happens in sports sometimes, the other team just played better.”

Belsky said even though the team struggled at times, it never gave up and towards the end of its run. Belsky also said the Gorloks gave it their all and played well but just came up short.

Three seniors played their last hole on April 24 as part of the program. Steven Kinsman (First team all-conference from 2011-2013), Dan Klipsch (second team all-conference in 2011) and Kyler Scott all ended their Webster careers after Day 2 of the tournament. Belsky said the three seniors were the cornerstones of the team.

“For their entire careers, they’ve been terrific for us,” Belsky said. “They believed in everything I preached to them. They had successful years, and I’m very proud of them.”

Scott, who was the SLIAC Player of the Year in 2012, finished his career in fifth place in the conference tournament with a score of 218 (71-75-72). His score led Webster in the tournament. Scott also made first team all-conference in 2010, 2012, and 2013 and placed on the second team in 2011.

Scott said, despite the awards he has won, he’ll most cherish is the friendships he made with his teammates and coaches.

“It’s been the best years of my life,” Scott said. “When I came here, I never really played competitive golf, and coach Belsky saw me in a tournament once and took a chance on me. It’s because of him on where I am right now in life…

“…He’s done a great job of molding me and teaching me how to play the game and how to play competitively, because there is a big difference between that and going out with your buddies. The friendships that I’ve made over time here are going to last forever; it’s been a wonderful, wonderful experience.”

Scott said he plans to move to Florida and attempt to play golf professionally. Freshman Brodie Dakin who received all-conference second team honors and all-sportsmanship team, finished tied for ninth place in the SLIAC tournament with a score of 226 (74-76-76).

[pullquote]”The friendships that I’ve made over time here are going to last forever; it’s been a wonderful, wonderful experience.” Kyler Scott, senior, Webster University golf[/pullquote]

With this being his first competitive college season, Dakin said he’s satisfied — but there is more potential out there, and he will be working all summer long to get better.

“Basically for this summer, my goal is to make my short game unstoppable and just have it be a lock down for my game,” Dakin said. “That seemed to be the big key to shooting low scores and when it was there, it was there and it helped me shoot those low scores.”

Dakin also plans to play in tournaments around the St. Louis area and in his hometown area in Macomb, Ill.

Brodie Dakin

With Dakin returning, Belsky said the Gorloks also have six commitments for the upcoming year — one Division-I transfer and five of the top freshmen from the Midwest.

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