Harris, Hinton excel

Inconsistency and a lack of depth still continue to plague the Michigan men's golf team in the midst of a frustrating season. But, during a spring of disappointment, the recent individual play of Mike Harris and Keith Hinton has provided a hint of much-needed optimism heading into the final few weeks of the season.

Harris captured top honors in last weekend's Marshall Invitational, while Hinton continued his strong play of late with a ninth-place finish. But still hampered by a lack of depth, Michigan finished ninth overall in the 20-team field.

This weekend, in a 16-team tournament made up of predominantly midwestern rivals, the Wolverines head to Columbus for the Kepler Intercollegiate.

Michigan finished 14th in its last appearance in Columbus two years ago but is expecting bigger things this time around.

"This is a very demanding golf course with difficult greens and thick rough," Michigan coach Jim Carras said. "A top-five finish, though, is certainly not out of the question."

Still struggling to find a steady five-man lineup, Carras will again juggle his rotation this weekend. Harris and Hinton will lead a team in Columbus that also includes Mike Affeldt and Kevin Hinton-Keith's brother-who both emerged out of a team qualifier earlier this week to take the two spots. The fifth spot has yet to be determined for a Wolverine squad that has already tried out nine different golfers this season in its five-man lineup. Mike Emanuel, Kevin Harris, Kevin Vernick, Scott Hayes, and Mike Reabe are all possibilities.

"I'm still trying to find the five guys that will give us the best chance at the Big Ten Championships," Carras said. "Because we are just too much of a long shot to make it to regionals, our primary focus right now is to prepare for the conference championships."

The lineup may remain ever-changing, but the rock of the team continues to be Mike Harris. The team leader in every spring tournament thus far, last weekend's one-stroke victory was his first of the spring season and third of the year. Harris posted a 208 (72-67-69) that lowered his season-average to 72.3 strokes.

"This kid is one of a kind," Carras said. "He is having an outstanding year, doing things no other Michigan golfer has ever done. Who knows what more he can do.

"If he continues to play the way he has, he could get the lone district qualifying berth for an individual spot in the NCAA Tournament."

Hinton's ninth-place finish lowered his season average to 75.2 strokes, but the rest of the team continues to have its difficulties. No other Michigan player finished higher than 72nd place last weekend.

"Keith played well and had his highest finish of the year, but we have to get better play from the rest of the team," Carras said. "We've got a busy schedule coming up but we need to be ready."

04-16-98