By Tom Wywrot
Michigan’s main theme this year is balanced experience with a roster featuring senior Nick Carlson, plus two juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen.
Carlson will look to rebound in his final season after battling a shoulder injury during his junior campaign. After starting 32 straight events the injury forced him to withdraw from the Linger Longer Invitational (March 18-20) and miss the Aggie Invitational last season.
Nick Carlson
Carlson may be best known for reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2016 before bowing in extra holes to eventual champ Curtis Luck of Australia, who is now a touring professional.
“I love the balance that our roster is starting to show,” said head coach Chris Whitten on his 8th season. “We don’t rely on the same one or two players every week, which is good from a team standpoint. We’ll have contributions from every class on the team, and I have not been able to say that consistently enough.
“Nick is our most accomplished returner with the most “big game” experience. Brent (Ito) has come a long way in his preparation and attitude, and he expects to be a leader on and off the course. Henry (Spring) and Charlie (Pilon) improved at a fierce rate last year and I have high expectations for them. Our freshmen, Patrick Sullivan (2018 Mr. Golf, Grosse Pointe South) and Ben Dunne, are both very talented guys who have the ability to make big impacts immediately if they can get settled to the pace and routine of their new student-athlete lives on campus.”
The Wolverines will open the fall season Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 15-16) at the Northern Intercollegiate at the prestigious Rich Harvest Farms Golf Course in Sugar Grove, Illinois; future site of the 2020 Big Ten Championship.
