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Navy Golf Program Among the Most Balanced in the Country
Aug. 9, 2007 ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Naval Academy was recently acknowledged by Golf Digest as one of the premier higher learning institutions that emphasizes the importance of education, while also holding in high regard the opportunity to play golf at a competitive level. In an effort to help junior golfers and their families make the most well-rounded decision on the school that best fits them as a student and golfer, Golf Digest has developed a ratings system that takes into consideration the following: team adjusted scoring average, player growth, academics, climate and facilities/coaches. Four hundred schools (Div. I, II and III) were ranked in the categories of overall balance, emphasis on golf and emphasis on academics. Navy was the highest-ranking Patriot League program in overall balance (No. 58) and emphasis on the sport itself (No. 169), and third in academics (No. 47). "It's nice to be recognized as one of the top universities in the country for academics and athletics combined because that ties right in with the mission statement for the Naval Academy," said 17th-year Navy coach Pat Owen. "The one thing the surveys fail to measure is leadership training, and that's where I feel our institution really stands out. All of the schools that are mentioned have terrific programs, but when you look at what Naval Academy athletes are achieving after graduation, it really makes you proud to play an active role in their training." Navy is among the top 10 percent of the 400 schools ranked in player growth. Over the course of the last four seasons, 28 players have improved their scoring averages, while just five have declined. The Academy was also in the top 10 percent in the facilities/coaches category (71 out of 100), where the formula measures quality, difficulty and proximity of campus-affiliated or "home" courses used for nontournament practice rounds; quality of up to seven additional courses used by a team (including, where applicable, spring trips for northern teams); practice facilities at home courses and stand-alone facilities on or near campus; other resources; coaches' experience and past performance. With a score of 75 out of 100, Navy is in the top 20 percent of those schools ranked in academics, and there is no better example of meshing academics with athletics than 2007 Patriot League Championship runner-up and Academic All-American Chris Renninger (Darnestown, Md.). Navy's rising senior came up just a stroke short in his run to claim last spring's individual title won by Holy Cross' Matt Czarnecki. However, he garnered First-Team All-Patriot League honors last April after turning in a 3-over par 213 in the conference championship. Renninger, a chemistry major who boasts a 4.00 grade-point average, stands No. 1 in his class of more than 1,000 students. He has earned a 4.00 GPA in seven-straight semesters, while being named to the Commandant's List five times, the Dean's List four times and the Superintendent's List twice. In July, he was named the Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He is only the third non-senior in Patriot League history to receive the award and first since NBA veteran and Colgate graduate Adonal Foyle claimed the award in 1995-96. Owen, a five-time Patriot League Coach of the Year, has led Navy to Patriot League titles in four of the last nine years, including back-to-back-to-back wins in 1998 (fall), 2000 and 2001. Five Midshipmen have claimed the Patriot League individual title, while three have been named the championship MVP. Golf Digest - Ranking the Schools Balanced Programs Rk. Team Pt. Total 1. Stanford 90.924 58. Navy 66.337 63. Bucknell 65.315 88. Army 62.946 139. Lehigh 59.323 149. Colgate 58.854 167. Lafayette 57.983 298. Holy Cross 51.828
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