The LSU men’s golf program needs a new captain. Former Tiger Sang Yi’s talent and positive approach was invaluable for the LSU golf team starting from his arrival in 2008. “Sang and I were really close,” said junior Andrew Presley. “He had a huge influence on me. He had a really good attitude and he was a huge deal for us. He was always positive, he was a really good player with a great short game and he had a positive influence on all of us.” Yi was the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Freshman of the Year and a two-time LSWA First-Team All-Louisiana member and a one-time LSWA Second-Team All-Louisiana member.   Yi capped off his career at LSU by being named the LSWA Louisiana Player of the Year and by being named to the 2012 First-Team All-Southeastern conference squad before graduating in May. “Sang was part of the winningest class since I’ve been a coach here,” said head coach Chuck Winstead . “It was something like 13 tournament titles that we won while [he] was here.” The time is now for a new leader on the 2012-2013 squad to emerge. Winstead said his team is filled with talent, but he was sure to mention one name in particular. “If I had to pick one, I’d have to pick Presley,” Winstead said. “He’s been our most competitive golfer, and he has played the most this year.  He’s an All-Conference, All-SEC performer, and he’s someone we expect to do very well this year.” During his freshman campaign, Presley posted a 74.1 scoring average in 24 rounds and earned a top-10 finish and three top-20 finishes. He also shined during his sophomore year. “When you look at his scoring average from his freshman year to his sophomore year, he made a huge jump,” Winstead said. “He was an All-Conference player in the strongest conference in the country last year. His production last year was terrific.” Presley lowered his average to 72.5 in 34 rounds, and he claimed his first collegiate victory at the Louisiana Classics. He was named a Second-Team All-SEC member and a 2012 LSWA First-Team All-Louisiana player. “I definitely want to be an All-American this year,” Presley said. “I had a really good chance last year, but I didn’t quite get it done. I’m the oldest guy on the team, so I have some pretty big shoes to fill. I’m looking forward to it.” Although Presley is the primary candidate to slide into the role as captain of the program, a new star could emerge from any of the nine golfers on the roster. No one on the team appears to be worried by the plethora of youth in 2012-2013. “We don’t have a senior, but we do have three juniors who have played and have had success for us,” Winstead said. “We have very strong sophomores. We’re confident with the group of guys we have moving forward.” The loss of Yi’s veteran presence could put a dent into any team, but LSU feels confident with the talent taking the course this season. Accompanied by fellow juniors Smylie Kaufman and Landon Lyons, Presley will be looking to bring a squad overwhelmed by youth into a new era in LSU men’s golf. A core group of talented players has been set by the organization.   “If you’ve got the firepower, then you can accomplish whatever you want,” Winstead said, “We believe we have the firepower.”
____ Contact Lawrence Barreca at [email protected]