well, thank God, his real name isn't Gator!!!! -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jeff Todd Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 1:13 PM To: RollTideFan-The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List Subject: [RollTideFan] Gator Todd steps up as Bama heads into postseason
Gator Todd steps up as Bama heads into postseason By Christopher Walsh Sports Writer May 18, 2005 One would think that the son of a University of Alabama legend would constantly be asked about his football heritage. But that's not the case for Gator Todd. Instead, almost everyone asks him about his name before anything regarding his father or his proficiency on the golf course. Perhaps that will change somewhat this weekend when the freshman will help lead the Crimson Tide in the East Regional of the 2005 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships. In order to advance to the championships (June 1-4, at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md.) eighth-seeded Alabama needs to finish in the top 10 out of 27 teams competing at Golf Club of Tennessee in Nashville. "It's going to be very competitive," Todd said. "The East Regional is usually the toughest. We're going to have to play really well, but I think we're up to it." Even though it's only his first season, Todd has been one of the players helping carry the Crimson Tide, which is looking to overcome a last-round setback at the recent SEC Championships to finish ninth. He and fellow freshman Mark Harrell managed to both place in the top 25, with Todd tying Auburn's Lee Williams for 12th overall (71-71-79 -- 221). "I felt like the whole year I've played two good rounds, but couldn't finish a tournament," Todd said. "One day would kill me. I don't think I've played my best yet this year, but our team has really stuck together. It seems like we've taken turns playing well. We've all pitched in well." Actually, during the six spring team events, Todd has led the Tide with a 74.94 stroke average, and four times he's placed in the top 12. The other four golfers competing in all spring tournaments were junior transfer Thomas Hagler (75.11), Harrell (75.17), senior Clint Provost (75.61) -- who last year shot a UA career low round of 65 in the SEC Championships -- and freshman Joseph Sykora (76.89). "I'm sure he'll be very excited," Tide coach Jay Seawell said about Todd. "He just needs to put those wild thoughts out of his head and do what he does best. He needs to let the game just happen. All coaches say that, but it's true. "He sees the finish line before he gets there. He's worried about winning the tournament on the first hole on the last day. I think he's learned a great deal." Todd has done that learning in a relatively short period of time. Todd, who grew up focusing on baseball and basketball, didn't start playing golf until he was 14 and quickly found a new passion. At Coffee High School in Florence, he was named an American Junior Golf Association All-American, ranked in the top 25 juniors nationally, shot 67 in the first round of the 2004 Class 5A state championship and was named all-state. But coming to Alabama had much more to do with Seawell than his family. "He just really turned the whole program around," Todd said. "I think he's the best coach in the country. From a players' standpoint, he makes you think that you can do it. He thinks a lot about short game, which is the main thing about scoring." This weekend will mark the Crimson Tide's 14th NCAA Tournament appearance and ninth regional since 1991. Its best finish was third in 1975 (led by Jerry Pate), though Seawell coached Augusta State to a fifth-place finish in 2002 before leaving for Alabama. With the conclusion of the academic year, the team has been concentrating solely on golf and surviving one of three regionals. The keys? Hit the fairways, avoid big mistakes and get off to a good start. "I couldn't get the ball to drop all year," Todd said about his putting. "If we can just get a couple of guys playing well it will probably feed off on the other guys." Incidentally, Todd's father, Richard, is the former Alabama quarterback who lettered from 1973-75 before being a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 1975. He introduced his son him to golf. "He's obviously a legend somewhat and I'm proud of that," Todd said. "He's been to every golf tournament I've ever played. I don't see him ever missing any of my tournaments at all." Oh, and as for the name, it's a nickname his aunt gave him when he was two months old. His real name is Richard. Reach Christopher Walsh at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at (205) 722-0196. BREAKOUT BOX East Regional (In order of seedings) 1. Georgia 2. Georgia Tech 3. Florida 4. Duke (Atlantic Coast) 5. Wake Forest 6. Tennessee 7. Georgia Southern 8. Alabama 9. Clemson 10. Georgia State 11. Coastal Carolina 12. East Tennessee State 13. Indiana 14. Central Florida 15. North Carolina 16. Louisville 17. Virginia 18. Vanderbilt 19. Charlotte 20. Penn State 21. North Carolina-Wilmington 22. Towson 23. Rhode Island 24. Rutgers 25. Maryland 26. Army (Patriot) 27. Boston College _______________________________________________ RTF mailing list RTF@rolltidefan.net http://rolltidefan.net/mailman/listinfo/rtf_rolltidefan.net _______________________________________________ RTF mailing list RTF@rolltidefan.net http://rolltidefan.net/mailman/listinfo/rtf_rolltidefan.net
