Alan Weant knew he was better than that.
The University of Memphis junior golfer was sluggish, and hisgame was coming and going, but he knew he was better than hisscores were demonstrating.
"I was struggling for so long that I knew it was about time formy game to come around," Weant said. "I knew I was playing betterthan my scores indicated."
And it was about time ias Weant had his most impressive outingof the season this week in the Conference USA Tournament, which washeld April 21-23 at Lake Jovita Country Club in Dade City, Fla.
"I probably played the best I've played throughout the year inthis tournament," Weant said.
Weant shot a 68 in the final round to finish at even par and inthird place overall in the individual championships.
For his efforts, Weant was named All-Conference third team,something for which he had been aiming.
"It was one of my goals heading into the year," the Germantownnative said.
This season has been a bizarre one for the Memphis squad who hadto adjust to life without head coach Jim Cook, who died in themiddle of the season.
Bob Winn, Memphis Assistant Athletic Director, took over asinterim head coach.
"Bob Winn did a great job, but it was still a shock to loseCoach Cook," Weant said. "We never really got fully focused afterthat."
The Tigers will lose only one regular starter, and Weant saidthe team has a lot of potential heading into next season.
"I think we can definitely win the Conference next year," Weantsaid. "We're only losing one consistent starter, so it's time forus to start winning."
Memphis finished in seventh place and 26 strokes behind TCU, whotopped the rest of the field by seven shots.
Richard Jones will be the most critical in a possible U of Mturnaround next season, Weant said, adding that the sophomore hasplenty of ability but hasn't been able to put it together duringthe season.
"Richard will hopefully play to his potential next year," Weantsaid. "He's probably the main thing we need. If he plays well itwould be a huge boost for us."
Grant Robbins, a graduate of The U of M, will take over as thenew head coach next season.
Robbins is the current the at UNC-Wilmington and has beenconsistently ranked in the top 30 for the last couple of years.
The Seahawks almost brought the Colonial Athletic AssociationMen's Golf Championship home to Wilmington Tuesday.
UNC-Wilmington lost to the Old Dominion Monarchs in a playoff atthe Independence Golf Club in Midlothian, Va. The Monarchs made twobirdies on the first playoff hole to edge the Seahawks for thetitle.
