Golfers make most of roadtrip

Colorado offered more than just a low scorecard to the Michigan men's golf team this past weekend. A lot more.

To Brent Baribeau, it meant receiving support in the battle for his life.

Baribeau, a junior, made the golf team as a redshirt freshman. But two summers ago he fractured his spine in a diving accident, leaving him paralyzed below the waist and without the use of his fingers. Numerous surgeries and constant rehabilitation followed.

Even though he no longer plays, Brent still keeps in touch with his teammates.

"As far as we're concerned, he is still a member of the team," coach Jim Carras said.

When Carras and his players received word that Brent would be receiving potentially fatal spinal cord surgery in Denver this weekend, less than a hundred miles from the tournament, they decided a visit was in order.

"We went to the hospital and totally surprised him," Carras said. "It was wonderful. Brent was really happy.

"The guys are really a bunch of great kids. They aren't just successful at the game of golf, they are successful at being good friends."

The Wolverines competed last weekend at the Falcon-Cross Creek Invitational, a 24-team tournament held in Colorado Springs.

They tied for third place, along with Grand Canyon and New Mexico State. Notre Dame won top honors, beating the competition by eight strokes.

"There was no way to win with what Notre Dame shot in the first round," Carras said. "I have never seen anything like it. They buried everyone,"

The only other Big Ten school, Illinois, didn't finish in the top 10.

"A third-place finish isn't bad, I didn't think we played as well as we could," Carras said. "The success of the team will be based on everyone contributing, not just one or two individuals."

Carras was referring, of course, to Mike Harris and Andy Matthews. Harris, who Carras called "the most complete student athlete at the University," finished atop the leaderboard of the tournament. His nine-under-par 207 broke the 31-year-old tournament record. Matthews, the young sophomore contributor, chipped in a 221, placing in the top 20.

"Andy is mature beyond his 19 years, at golf as well as a person. He has the makings of another Harris, which is a big compliment," Carras said.

Carras was optimistic about Michigan, but he didn't hide the team's weakness.

"The bottom half of our lineup was somewhat disappointing, but my expectations for this team are high. We just need more balance, which will come eventually. It's kind of like my children, they'll disappoint you sometimes, but you always love 'em."

Ask Brent Baribeau and he'll tell you the Wolverines don't have any shortness of the latter.

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