'M' golf rests in ninth with a day to play

A transition year.

That is precisely what the Michigan men's golf team faces. Only a few months after competing in the NCAA championships, the Wolverines are cutting their losses and moving on. Junior Mike Harris, the one returning starter from last year, leads the Wolverines, who will have to count on youth and veterans to contribute.

Michigan coach Jim Carras took five players to the tournament - Mike Harris, Kevin Harris, Scott Hayes, Kevin Vernick and Kevin Hinton.

JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily Kyle Dobbs would be proud of his former Michigan teammates this weekend. The Wolverines reside in ninth place with today's round serving as the final day of play.

"Three of the top 20 teams in the country are in the Reliastar: LSU, Oklahoma and UCLA," Carras said. "We're not competitive with the top teams in the nation. We need to give the new kids some experience."

Mike Harris shot an impressive 73 in the morning and again in the afternoon. Carras was impressed with Harris' performance.

"Mike will definitely be our No. 1 player," Carras said.

The biggest surprise of the day for the Wolverines was the play of Kevin Vernick, who matched Mike Harris' score with 74 and 72 to lead the team. Vernick had never competed in a round of team tournament play until yesterday.

"I'm pretty happy with my play today," Vernick said. "I putted really well and stroked the ball well. I used my brain and was missing in the right places. Golf is 95 percent mental."

Another Wolverine who put up encouraging numbers was Kevin Hinton, who shot a 76 and a 74. "Kevin Hinton is showing improvement every time he goes out," Carras said.

The only real disappointment of the day came when Kevin Harris - the brother of fellow Wolverine Mike Harris - shot an 80 and an 84. Kevin, a walk-on freshman, has the potential to be better than his older brother Mike, according to Carras.

"I've gained a lot of experience," Kevin Harris said. "I had a lot of fun, but fun doesn't make up for what I shot. I wanted to shoot well but it just didn't happen. If my putter comes back I'll be fine."

In any sport, having brothers on the same team can either be the greatest or most ominous situation. But in the case of Mike and Kevin Harris, their relationship could be the key factor to a successful season.

"We've competed every day on the golf course," Kevin Harris said. "Mike was the hardest worker in the family. Whenever he went down to the golf course, I tagged along."

"It's amazing how they look out after each other," said teammate Kevin Vernick. "Mike was going to the bathroom in the airport when coach told everyone to go to the van outside. Kevin waited for Mike until he came back. They help each other out.

"Mike has passed along a lot of knowledge to Kevin. They both want to succeed."

Since Kevin's brother is the top golfer at Michigan, it's only natural for others to compare them.

"I've been in his shadow my whole life," Kevin Harris said. "I've been right behind him. I can be as good as him. You never know when you'll show up one day and everything clicks."

Today the Wolverines play another round of 18 holes. They have the opportunity to surpass two teams that are within a few shots.

With many other freshmen and sophomores waiting to break into tournament play, Kevin Harris' performance today could be critical.

"I'm gonna go out and grind it out all the way," said Kevin Harris. "I'll have fun and remember why I'm here. To play my best."

Concerning the youthful nature of his squad, Carras said that he is waiting for underclassmen to rise to the challenge.

"We have a number of good freshmen," Carras said. "Three are on partial scholarship. It's going to be an interesting year. We're going to call it a rebuilding year. But it may not end up being that. We might end up being pretty good.

"These freshmen and sophomores and some of the kids who didn't have the experience may surface for us."

09-15-97