 "Photo: courtesy NCCU Athletics")
N.C. Central University maintains a secret when it comes to sports.
Eagle fans may be disappointed by football and basketball records, but one of the highest ranked sports team is NCCU's golf team.
Many students may not know about the golf program. It was started back in the 1970s under coach Harry Edmonds, but stopped soon after for unknown reasons.
The program was brought back in 2000 and now is coached by Paul Perry.
Coach Perry is a N.C. Central alumnus and former football player. Former athletic director Bill Hayes and Perry used to golf with one another.
Hayes asked him to coach the program because Hayes had to attend to family matters.
"At first I was unsure about coaching the program, but overall I knew it was a grand opportunity to give back," said Perry.
"Golf is a great teaching sport: it teaches you how to work under stress, work on your own and requires a lot of mental toughness," said Perry.
The golf team is made of seven members who come from all over the world to play golf.
"I love this program. I get along great with all the guys," said Mexico native Juan Sanchez, a sociology senior.
The golf team plays a split season, with about five matches in the fall and five matches in the spring against teams from all over the East coast and numerous teams from the MEAC conference.
So far they have played two matches and placed in the top ten at the Manor Intercollegiate.
Two formal practices are held weekly at Hillandale Golf Course, but the players practice everyday on their own.
"Although practices are two days a week, my guys are hitting everyday," said Perry. When not practicing the team hits the weightroom twice a week.
"We focus on strength and conditioning," said Perry. "Their workout consist of core strengthening and cardio."
The team's top players are senior Juan Sanchez whose average score for the season is 77.5, sophomore Braden Cox who has averaged 79.5, and Karim Corringham who has averaged 77.5.
Last spring the team placed in seven out of 11 events. Coming in first place at the Winston-Salem Invitational and finishing tied for fifth place at PGA Minority golf championship.
The golf team also ranks second in the NCCU athletic department for the team with highest GPA among all other sports teams.
Next week the team will be heading off to the Bethune-Cookman Invitational in Daytona Beach, Fla. where they will compete against various East Coast teams.
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