The third year is the charm for Sacramento State men’s and women golf coach Adam Pohll. Pohll came to Sac State with two things in mind: to bring passion to the sport and to hold high expectations from the athletes.

“There’s no reason this school can’t play at (Division I) level,” he said.

Pohll’s passion for the sport of golf and his expectations proved to be what Sac State needed.

He finished his third year with two conference championships and was named coach of the year for the Big Sky conference on April 20 for his work with the women’s team.

Two weeks ago, the women came out on top at the Big Sky Conference Golf Championships, and last weekend, the men followed in the footsteps of the women with five of the youngest golfers on the course.

“It’s amazing to win with both teams. I don’t think it’s ever been done before, and it’s huge for the school and Sacramento in general,” Pohll said.

The men traveled to Windsor, Colo. in hopes to copy what the women did just one week prior and lead throughout the entire tournament.

The team went from a last-place finish last year to the top sport, posting a one-under-par 863.

Freshman Grant Norton finished second with a new Sac State record for lowest score in a three-day tournament with a 209. “It was so exciting,” Norton said. “I didn’t know (about the record) until everything was over when the coach told me.”

Sophomore Cody Miller was the only Hornet in Windsor who was on the team last year, and said he can see how different this season is from last year.

“I think the team has made a good improvement ? the two freshmen, for them to step up was big for us,” Miller said.

The closest competitor was Utah Valley State, which finish second with an 874 and host Northern Colorado with an 875. “That’s a big margin of victory,” Pohll said.

Pohll’s biggest excitement was the fact that the team traveled with its five youngest golfers, with three sophomores and two freshmen.

“As a team, we played with all freshmen and sophomores, (which is) super young,” he said. “For them to win this early in their careers – it’s going to be fun for the next few years.”

Just because the team is young doesn’t mean it is inexperienced.

“We all have a lot of experience outside of school,” Norton said. “We had to make sure we put everything together and play our best.”

Sophomore Jeremy Harris said the Hornets’ first tournament win on March 20 was at the Diablo Grande Intercollegiate in Patterson. This was also the first time the men’s program won since 1998.

“I think the win early on gave the team confidence,” Harris said. “So confidence wasn’t an issue (in this tournament). We knew we would compete with anyone.”

Scott DeBorba walked onto the team as a sophomore and was able to compete in every event.

“I’m really proud to be on the team,” he said.

Pohll said that since he has such a young team, they have nowhere else to go but up.

“Even with the two wins (this season), we have of lot of work that we can improve. We all just look to get better,” he said.

After posting an outstanding season, in both the men and women teams, Pohll can’t wait for the years ahead.

“Since we are doing so well, we will land proper recruits,” he said. “Success breeds more success.” Karyn Gilbert can be reached at [email protected]