This June, the Dalton State University Men’s Golf Team won their second NAIA National Championship title, adding to their impressive first win in 2021. We talked with with Head Coach Ben Rickett to discuss the team’s remarkable season and discuss into what lies ahead for his team this upcoming season!
You began the season with a win at Sanctuary Golf Club, then at Innisbrook Golf Resort. Overall, you won three times in the fall season, what did those wins mean to your team to kick off the season?
The hard part in the fall is trying to understand what you have as a team. This season was a little different as I had four returning seniors and some good recruits that were a little unknown at that point so really had to get a feel for what we were working with. Sanctuary was a nice win as it got the season off to a good start, but winning at Innisbrook is always a good litmus test on a season. It’s a hard course and it's always an elite field. It was also a blessing in disguise that we didn’t sweep the entire fall as it kept the guys grounded during the off-season that we were a capable team, but if we weren't at our best, we still could get beaten.
You traveled to a lot of great golf courses this year, what was your favorite? What was your team’s favorite?
That is a tough question. Each trip and each course brings a unique sense of experience to the program. I know that the trips down to Sanctuary Cove, Innisbrook, and Kinderlou Forest are always enjoyable because of the housing situations, rather than the hotel rooms. There may be some bias to the answer, but the guys also like showing off our golf courses here in Dalton when we get the opportunity to host here!
The championship was held at Dalton Country Club, describe how that course sets up for your team?
The way that I coach the team is based around difficult golf courses and after Bill Bergin redid Dalton Country Club in 2020, the course has become extremely difficult, demanding, and testing from a mental standpoint. We knew before the event that it was going to be a taxing week and that it was another lie-detecting course that the team that could have the most control of their ball and also keep their emotions together would have a good chance at the end of the week.
How did it feel having home field advantage?
If you look at historical data in any sport, winning at home can be hard. There is for sure some advantage with playing at home and understanding the course. A tournament-ready golf course is very different from a regular day-to-day golf course. As a coach, playing at home is not overly easy as there are some distractions that you would necessarily have when the team is on the road.
You have a good mix of older and younger players, how do the older, experienced players help with the development of the younger players?
The older players have to set the standard for the younger players. The older ones over the years have created a culture and that needs to be continued and there is no better way than the older players leading by example. We talked daily about leaving the program in better shape than when they found it.
In the final round, Trevor Basset made an 8 on the second hole, but later bounced back with two eagles on the back. The team won by a stroke; how do you make sure the team stays involved, even after a bad hole?
Trevor was on our championship team in 2021 which we also won by one stroke. Over the course of four days, counting four scores each day, for it only to come down to one stroke is mind-blowing. Every shot matters in team golf and Trevor was a great example of getting the most out of a bad situation. These things are communicated daily about making the right decisions and making selfless decisions on the course. As mentioned in a previous answer, keeping composed when things don’t necessarily go your way was key on a golf course that was so mentally demanding.
Describe the moment when the final putt dropped, what did It mean to your team and yourself to secure another national championship?
It was very surreal to be transparent. I was so happy for my four seniors who had been through ups and downs, success and failures, but to finish your career on a high in front of a home crowd was like a dream come true.
How does the Dalton Community support the team?
Dalton has been great to us over the 11 years that I have been fortunate enough to run this program. The three golf courses, Dalton Country Club, The Farm, and Nob North are so willing to help and we would not be where we are today without those facilities. It is low key a golf-crazy town and that lines up with our visions here in winning championships and making this a program our community can be proud of.
What are your expectations for next year? Another title?
Every team is faced with its challenges and am excited to get to work with this next group in August. Championships are always the goal here in Dalton, we just want a chance on the last day of a National Championship!