With the American Sky Championship set to take place at the end of the month, the Sacramento State men’s golf team heads into the final stretch of its season confident in its ability to claim a bid to regionals with a win in North Stonington, Conn. 

All teams in the conference are invited to play in this tournament regardless of records, giving every team an opportunity to reach regionals.

Head coach Chris Hall, who is in his second season, said his team shows no signs in taking any steps back. He said the team is only getting better each time his players are out on the course working on their game.

“We have a lot of mature players on this team,” Hall said. “We will go into this championship tournament like we have approached every other tournament we have played in so far, which is to give ourselves a chance to win it. This season, we have done that a lot more than in the past and I think that says a lot about where this program is headed.”

One thing Hall said his team has to collectively do in order to meet the expectations in winning is to have all five players play mentally on the same page and focused.  

“With my background, with a master’s degree in sports psychology, coaches have worked on the mental aspect of the game a lot with the players,” Hall said. “It is about making sure they know that they can succeed. And with taking this mental approach of the game, I only see nothing but positive things coming from it.”

The Hornets received an extra boost to their lineup with the return of sophomore Jordan Weir in the OGIO UC Santa Barbara Invitational. Weir had been out since October after suffering a pulled patellar tendon.

In Weir’s absence, the Hornets still have managed to place first once, fourth four times and seventh once in six tournaments.

“The best thing for me as I get myself prepared for the American Sky Championship is to work on my putting game to help create some kind of rhythm.” Weir said. “It is what I have seen to cause me the most trouble in my game since being back. And in order to fix that, I have to get more reps in to get the rust off my game.”

Hall said he expected to see that type of rusty play this past tournament over the weekend from Weir due to his absence. 

Hall made it clear Weir is one of the most consistent players on the team and getting him back before the championship tournament increases their chances of winning.

“I think we’re the best team in our conference,” Weir said. “I have no doubt in my mind to see why we couldn’t win this tournament. I think we have what it takes to win.”

Senior Jake Johnson, who has finished in the top five twice in his last three tournaments, said throughout the season he has placed himself in situations to win, but watched his chances slip through his fingers due to his performance on the greens.

“I personally know that in order for me to do well, I need to tighten up my putting game,” Johnson said. “It’s tough knowing you placed yourself in a good position to win, but to only be set back.”

Johnson said he has been working on reading the greens better with the coaching staff and taking his time, so he can control the outcome in his favor.

The golf team had a 10-shot lead at the Braveheart Classic in Beaumont, Mont. after the second round on Monday. 

In preparing for the American Sky Championship, Johnson said he does not see anything holding the team back from winning come late April. 

He said the first place win at the Wildcat Invitational in Utah showed what the team is capable of accomplishing, despite not playing at its best. 

“As a team, we hit the ball down the fairway better than anyone in our conference,” Johnson said. “The other teams know that and if we show up as a team and play to our potential, we should win. Coach has always stressed to us conference is our main goal because it is what gets us in regionals.”

Gabriel Pacheco can be reached at [email protected].