NORMAN, Okla.—Barry’s Jimmy Stobs was named the Golf Pride Grips South Region coach of the year after leading the Bucs to the regional title for the third time.
Stobs’ crew put together a campaign for the ages in 2013-14. The Bucs led the nation with a 72.09 adjusted scoring average, more than a stroke ahead of the Nova Southeastern Sharks in second place. But Bucs’ adjusted drop score of 77.04 was also best in the nation and more than a stroke better than all but three teams. Barry won seven events, including the Super Regional and the national Championship, tops among Division II programs.
Sophomore Adam Svensson was named the Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year for the division and earned first-team All-America honors. Seniors Jared Dalga and Scott Smyers and freshman Mario Beltran were named to the third-team.
Svensson had one of the most dominant seasons in Division II golf history. He led the country in scoring (70.05) strokes versus par (-1.59), birdies (140), par four scoring 3.97), par five scoring (4.59) and posted the lowest round of the season for any golfer in the country, 61 (-10) at the Buccaneer Invitational. (Alabama’s Bobby Wyatt also carded a 61, but on a par-70 course.)
Svensson, Dalga and Beltran all ranked in the top 30 in the nation in scoring, making Barry the only program with three golfers in the top 30.
The Bucs set a number of school records in 2013-14. Their scoring average was 287.38 (0.56 vs. par), the third time under Stobs that they had led the nation in that category. They posted a school record eight tournament wins, including the Sunshine State Conference, South/Southeast Super Regional and NCAA Division II National Championships. They posted wins over 93.8 percent of their 180 opponents on the season, recording 23 eagles along the way, which also led the nation.
Stobs also was named regional Coach of the Year in 2004, 2010 and 2013. The Bucs, two-time defending National Champions, return three starters and six lettermen for 2014-15 as they will attempt to make it three in a row.
Golf Pride Grips Region Coaches of the Year
NCAA Division II
East - Stephen Ferrera, St. Thomas Aquinas
Atlantic - Frederick Joseph, IUP
Southeast - Michael Butler, Armstrong Atlantic State
South - Jimmy Stobs, Barry
Midwest - Ken Hyland, Malone
Central - Tim Poe, Central Missouri
South Central - Todd Ohlmeyer, St. Edward’s
West - T.L. Brown, Chico State