Coyne Learns, Grows From NCAA Championships

Monday, May 20

Hershey, PA

All Day

Millersville University

NCAA Division II Championships

Coyne Learns, Grows From NCAA Championships

5/22/2013 3:03:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results

Hershey, Pa. - During a 2012-13 season littered with wins and top finishes, Robert Coyne learned just how good he is when his swing is right. During three rounds at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships at Hershey Country Club East Course, Coyne learned even more from adversity.

The Millersville junior closed his national championship with an 86 and at 33-over for the tournament. His final round was a microcosm of his season. There were incredible highs--like his back-to-back birdies to start his final nine holes. And then came incredible lows--like his 45 on his first nine.

Coyne entered the week with expectations of contending. But the East Course isn't very forgiving to players that are at their best. Coyne, one of the longest hitters in the field, struggled with driving accuracy, and the deep, wet rough was punishing. Coyne made a number of miraculous shots from a variety of predicaments during the season, but this week, he admitted, those hero-type shots compounded problems.

"I learned that I need to battle," said Coyne. "This is a course that when you are missing fairways you just have to try to make par or even bogeys at times. It is a really tough course. When I hit the ball all over of the place, it makes for a really tough grind."

Coyne estimated that he had played the course more than 30 times in his life but the familiarity did not help. The 33-over-par total was the highest three-round total of season. But instead of shaking his confidence, it gives him an experience from which he can grow. Afterall, he has bounced back before. Coyne finished dead-last at the PSAC Championships in 2011. In the fall of 2012, he finished third and held a final round lead.

"It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that I've been here," said Coyne. "I know I can do it again next year and hopefully lead the rest of the team here as well."

"It was awesome--a great experience," continued Coyne. "I couldn't ask for anything more than having all these friends and family come to watch me. I played some of the worst golf I've played in years, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But hopefully I'll be back next year. It was a fun time."

Coyne's Marauders certainly have an outstanding shot at qualifying for the national championships in 2014. They missed out on this event by only four strokes and every golfer on the roster is expected to return including key players Conor Gilbert, Robby Rowe, Kevin Davis, Jonathon Heile and Matt Lutz.

Until Millersville's season resumes in the fall, expect Coyne to be on the course more days than not.

"I'll be playing in a lot of qualifiiers for the Pennsylvania Open, the Pennsylvania Amateur, the U.S Amateur, the Philadelphia Open and the (Jake) Gittlen (Memorial) right here in Hershey," said Coyne. "I will try to keep my game in shape and get ready for the fall."