UNC Wilmington won its first 54-hole tournament in more than four years Sept. 29 at the VCU Shootout. I caught up with UNCW coach Matt Clark, now in his second year with the program, to talk about the victory, team goals and how he chooses team uniforms each year.
This is the first big win for the program in quite some time. Have you noticed any change in the clubhouse from your guys? Are they starting to believe in your system?
UNCW’s last tournament win was at the Cuthbert Cup in the spring of 2008, which was shortened to two rounds due to rain. The last three-round tournament win was in 2005 when the Seahawks captured the automatic bid at the Colonial Athletic Association championships.
When I was hired, I tried to communicate to the team how hard teams across the country were actually working on their games, academics and fitness. I think some of them didn’t believe me at first, but I had a few that were willing to listen. Those individuals worked extremely hard over the Christmas break and we were much improved in all three categories last spring. We left for the summer with the common goal of working hard and coming back prepared to put UNCW on the map. My guys did not play in the biggest amateur events, but Josh Brock created quite a buzz around our program once he qualified for the U.S. Open. The very next week at the North Carolina Amateur, Derek Wallace, Taylor Zimmerman and Ryan Sullivan shot the only rounds in the 60s during the third round. I knew once this happened we had a chance to play some pretty amazing golf this season.
What goals did you set for your team this year?
Our main goals were to win a tournament as well as secure an invitation to the postseason. None of the current players have played on a team in the NCAA regionals, and they want to be the guys to get UNCW back to the dance.
You had some pretty loud, European-esque outfits when you coached at Georgia State. How are the boys reacting to your choice in wardrobe?
Last year, getting the team to wear a white belt might have been a stretch, but these young men have really taken to my personality. You will now see us pull into the parking lot with the radio turned up and us getting out of the van wearing white, yellow or black-and-white plaid pants. I tell them all of the time you have the rest of your life to wear khakis!
John Daly called and says he wants his look back.
Asher, you know I have better style than John Daly. Although I did make a call to Loudmouth Golf this summer to get prices on their pants!
The women’s team is getting ready to host the Women’s Preview at Landfall, one of your home courses. How’s the course looking and how challenging will it be when the teams come in to play?
Country Club of Landfall will be a great challenge for all of the ladies that arrive in Wilmington at the end of this month. They will be playing on the Pete Dye Course which is different from the traditional course that hosts the Landfall Tradition. The golf course will be in great shape and should be a venue where the best team will win. They are planning on stretching the course out a bit, but I can promise you one thing: The greens will be perfect. I can’t wait to see the best women’s teams compete.
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