The men’s golf team at Virginia Wesleyan was led by Carter Morgan last season, but with his transfer to Old Dominion University, senior Keith Cooper has picked up the slack.
Cooper not only led the team in their April 5 through 7 event at the Camp Lejeune Intercollegiate in Jacksonville, N.C., but he also set the Virginia Wesleyan record for single round score. He broke this record on the second day of the match with a score of 63 (-7).
“The round was a test of patience, and I will never forget that round for as long as I live,” Cooper said. “It will most likely go down as one of the greatest golf round I will play in my life. To make the putt to break the record was unreal.”
Despite a new school record that he now holds, Cooper was most thrilled to have his parents there to share the moment with him.
“Words can’t describe how amazing it felt to have my parents there for the whole tournament. My dad was stationed there for two years, my sisters were born there and now I have a memory in Jacksonville, North Carolina,” Cooper said.
Cooper also had a successful showing at the Glenn Health Memorial in Williamsburg, Virginia on April 15 and 16. On the first day he shot a 73 (+1) and then a 79 (+7) on the second which earned him a fifth-place finish overall.
Sophomore Taylor Cunningham was the next Marlin behind Cooper at the Glenn Health Memorial as he finished 19th with a score of 161.
Following Cunningham was freshman Jackson Lyons who placed 25th with total score of 163.
Cooper has consistently led the way for the Marlins in this spring season, and looks to do the same thing heading into the ODAC Championships beginning on April 28.
“The last tournament is at a golf course where as a player you love to play; it’s challenging but rewarding. I feel like with the team we have we can finish middle to high of the pack in the conference tournament,” Cooper said.
Megan Sherman
mrsherman@vwu.edu
