Oct. 5, 2006
Dayton Flyers.com: Describe UD golf. What does being a Flyer mean to you? What are your philosophies in playing and recruiting?
Drew Tyrer: The UD Men's Golf Program is centered on competitive balance. The golfers in our program will be expected to give their full effort in the classroom, on the golf course and in the Dayton community. Our student-athletes receive a high quality education from one of the top Catholic universities in the country. Our golf program has access to great courses in the Dayton area enabling us to be prepared for tough competition. With our strong Marianist community, our student-athletes will participate often within the University of Dayton and surrounding community with special needs groups and organizations.
I believe in extensive preparation and setting short and long term goals. Our golfers have the mindset to be successful in everything they work toward. They all go the extra mile to be the best. These are traits that exemplify a University of Dayton student-athlete. I only hope that I can guide and lead our young men in the right direction based off of my experiences as a former UD golfer.
DF.com: What kind of courses does Dayton play? What is their home course and what amenities does it offer?
Tyrer: Our men's golf program has the luxury to call NCR Country Club our home. NCR Country Club is a 36-hole golf facility that is traditionally ranked in the Top 100 in the United States. The South Course has played host to four major championships including the 2005 U.S. Senior Open.
We practice at NCR Country Club on a daily basis and we host our home events there as well. We will also be playing at other outstanding golf facilities throughout the Dayton area. Dayton Country Club, Country Club of the North, Greene Country Club and Miami Valley Golf Club are other facilities that we will practice and play.
DF.com: Where does the team travel for tournaments? What is the level of competition? How does the travel effect missed classes at UD?
Tyrer: Our young men have the opportunity to compete against other top Division I programs throughout the Midwest and South. We typically travel throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee and North Carolina in our Fall Season. During the Spring Season, we head south into the Carolinas, Florida and Tennessee to maximize better weather and tougher competition.
Being a part of the Atlantic 10 Conference we have the opportunity to compete against top teams through the Mid Atlantic and Northeast as well. Our conference championship is held every year at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida the first week of May. The Atlantic 10 Conference is one of the most competitive conferences in the country, sending five schools to NCAA Regional play in 2006.
Traveling and competing in tournaments while enrolled in a full course load is no easy task. Our student-athletes have access to laptop computers that are taken on away trips to assist them in completing assignments and projects while in hotel rooms. Our student-athletes maintain great relationships with faculty and staff so they are always up-to-date with their schoolwork.
DF.com: Drew any final thoughts about the Flyers men's golf program?
Tyrer: I take great pride in coaching this program. I have many great memories of the four years that I put into this program as a student-athlete and see a bright future ahead for our golfers here at the University of Dayton.
