John Inman is rarely at a loss for words. But when the North Carolina men’s golf coach was asked to characterize the 2009 season in a single sentence, he had to stop and think.

“It was both good and bad,” said Inman, who is entering his 13th year coaching the Tar Heels.
The “good” that Inman mentioned came in the form of two tournament victories at Maryland and N.C. State and a runner-up finish in another. The “bad” included a ninth-place finish in the ACC Championship and a 12th-place finish in the NCAA Regional.

But with a veteran core returning led by junior Jack Fields, who is an All-ACC selection, and senior Henry Zaytoun III, the Tar Heels are poised for a long-awaited breakout season.

Fields, who boasts a career-competitive round of 63, will certainly see higher expectations on the course, but his biggest adjustment might have to come in the locker room.

The Tar Heels lost leaders Chase MacFarland and David Holzworth to graduation, leaving Fields to take on an unfamiliar role.

“We have a lot of players with vocal leadership ability,” Inman said. “I hope that they will find their voice this season.”

Fields said this year, he has mainly addressed the chipping element of his short game, an area where he struggled at times last season.

“I’ve realized I can miss the green and still make par, so that helped my confidence,” he said.
Fields’ newfound chipping technique will be put to the test immediately when the Tar Heels fly to Scotland for their September season opener at St. Andrews.

Women’s golf

Women’s golf coach Jan Mann is about as blunt as possible when she talks about her goal for the upcoming season.

“Win. Just win,” she said.

She tactfully described the team’s 2009 season as a “work in progress.” In her second year as head coach of the Tar Heels, Mann is shaking things up. She’s bringing in new players with alternative styles in hopes that they can help “build an overall stronger and better team.”

Her group finished fifth in the ACC Championship and 13th in the NCAA East Regional, so Mann has room to make some improvements.

The key to the Tar Heels’ success could be Jordan Allyne, a senior who made big strides last year.
“I’ve actually been making some changes to my play (during the offseason),” Allyne said. “I’m trying to get longer off the tee — really hit the ball farther.”

While it would have been easy for Allyne to become frustrated with the inconsistencies of last season’s play, she said she embraces whatever obstacles present themselves because of her “love of the game.”
But regardless of offseason practices, there will always be obstacles to overcome.

“The pursuit of the challenge is what it’s all about,” Allyne said.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.