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Show "ft spring outing IJtegofers face obstaces i - - ' . ' i -K . ' I i By CHARLES SELDIN Chronicle Staff from an analytical viewpoint L's and Saturday's golf : Iment at BYU's Riverside urse should prove little more L a brisk outing in the spring J for the Ute Coif team. Roth logic and past performances Is overall better golf programs should prove itself an insurmountable insur-mountable obstacle to the Utes But sports often have a way of excusing themselves from the day today logistics particular to more sane activities. For instance, in a dual match at this time last year, the Utes took a greatly outmanned squad to Provo and promptly upset them, yvindy weather et. al. But this year's task should prove even more difficult since there are seven more entries to conquer should they manage to outplay BYU, the favored team in the tournament. While BYU and the Arizona and New Mexico schools tune themselves by participating in national tournaments against top flight competition, the Utes' fragmented budget cannot sufficiently support this type of team travel, thus placing the Utes in an unfavorable role when tournament play does occur. However, one shining light does seem to add hope to an otherwise bleak forecast for Friday and Saturday. Raleigh Wilson, Utah's No. 1 golfer, has been steadily improving this year and could finish high in the tournev. Having just returned from a nine-team nine-team tournament in Arizona, where the Utes placed a dismal eighth as a team effort, Raleigh appeared to be the only Utah golfer capable of winning medalist honors in the BYU tourney this weekend. While the Utes struggled to a next to last finish, Raleigh placed fifth out of afield of 72. A highly respectable teat considering all the odds going against Utah's golfers. And even though a fifth place finish is still four short of victory, it does tend to add credence to Utah's otherwise-stymied golf program. However, when considering the Ute's fortunes the weather must be taken into consideration. This spring has produced few sustained practice sessions (snow, although often smooth is very hard to putt on) and the players are naturally going to reflect this m their play. The southern WAC schools experience no such hardships and BYU buys its team sunshine, in the form of many trips, something the Utes cannot do. Therefore, when Utah takes its team to Provo, Friday and Saturday, a high team finish, albeit not entirely ruled out! seems destined for yet another year, time and place. Raleigh Wilson is Utah's top golfer this year. The senior ace finished nrtn in a tournament last week and may win this weekend. |
