WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007 | NEWS | WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 23
MEN'S GOLF
Former Jayhawk ready to go pro
Woodland credits KU coaching staff with helping him develop into standout
By Dylan Schoonover
dschoonover@kansan.com
Gary Woodland's career as a standout performer for the Kansas golf team has concluded, but his pro-
just beginning to take flight.
Woodland ended his tenure as a Jayhawk tying for 25th at the NCAA Central Regional Tournament on May 19. Despite
Woodland
the disappointing finish, Woodland captured three tournament victories during his senior season.
Since the close of the season, Woodland has been on the amateur circuit developing his game. In September, he plans to become a professional golfer.
"I'm trying to continually better myself each day," Woodland said. "I'm excited about the chance to
become a professional."
Playinggolf wasn't Woodland's first love upon graduating from Shawnee Heights High School in Shawnee. He signed a scholarship to play basketball at Washburn University, where he continued developing his golf game on Washburn's golf team.
In relation to his golfing peers, Woodland is relatively young to the sport.
"I loved playing basketball. I had great success in the sport," Woodland said. "What it came down to was, that for me, basketball was a four-year sport. Unlike basketball, I knew in golf I might have the opportunity to play professionally."
After playing for the U.S. team in the United States-Japan Collegiate Championship on July 11-13 in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Woodland will be back in Kansas for one tournament before heading to Texas to continue improving with his teaching pro Randy Smith. Smith served as a second coach for Woodland throughout his senior
season.
"Ive been with Randy for over a year and a half now," Woodland said.
"Like today, I had a bad round pulling the ball, so I called him up. He calmed me down and gave me advice on what to change tomorrow."
Along with Smith, the Kansas coaching staff of Ross Randall and Kit Grove had an effect
"He has that X-factor you can't teach and when he does need help he's like a sponge learning from everything."
"Gary can do things with a golf ball that very few people can," Grove said. "He has that X-factor you can't teach and when he does need help
on Woodland's success. Woodland describes Randall as a second father to him and said Grove will be a great coach after Randall's retirement.
KIT GROVE Assistant coach
Kansas assistant coach Kit Grove said Woodland possessed skills that separated him from other players. Grove said Woodland's potential was unlimited because of his ability to build off of every round he plays.
he's like a sponge learning from everything."
Wood land said he hoped to qualify for the Walker Cup that takes place at the Royal County Down Golf Club in Ireland on September 8-9. After that event, he will choose his
sponsors and make the leap to the pros.
"Id love to play in the Walker Cup," Woodland said. "That is my final goal as an amateur."
— Edited by Joe Caponio
in brief
Big 12 Conference names temporary commissioner
Dan Bebee has been named the interim commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, the conference announced last week.
Bebee
joined the Big 12 in 2003 and has served as the senior associate commissioner and chief operating officer.Before joining the
Bebee
Big 12, Bebee spent 14 years as commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference.
Bebee is for now the temporary replacement for outgoing commissioner Kevin Weiberg, who will leave the conference July 15. There is no word as of yet concerning a long-term replacement for Weiberg.
Kansan staff report
in brief
Thrower Agafonov named Academic All-American
Junior Egor Agafonov was named a second team Academic All-American by CoSIDA and
ESPN The Magazine, Kansas Athletics announced Tuesday.
"This award is a great achievement for Egor," coach Andy Kokhanovsky said in a statement. "I am very proud of him today. It really is a great way to finish what has been a superb year on his part."
Agafonov, an economics major, has a 3.58 GPA. During his 2007 campaign, Agafonov won the national title in the indoor hammer throw.
Earlier this month, Agafonov finished fourth at the NCAA
Also in 2007, Agafonov won two Big 12 Conference titles in the indoor and outdoor hammer throw.
Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw. The fourth place finish earned him his fourth All-American honor.
Agafonov also set new meet records at the NCAA Midwest Regionals and Big 12 Outdoor Championships.
Kansan staff report