Looking forward to a fresh start

After two years without satisfactory coachig, junior golfer Adam Bradshaw is excited about a new season Despite a number of scholarship offers to play golf elsewhere, Adam Bradshaw opted for the Ivy League and Penn. But when Bradshaw arrived on campus, he found the situation at Penn to be quite different than he had expected. Bradshaw arrived to an undermanned and understaffed golf team after being led to believe that the Quakers had a strongly supported program in place. But fortunately for the now-junior, the future of Penn golf is on the rebound. And Bradshaw, himself, is a large part of this turnaround. "When I arrived, Penn golf was completely disorganized," Bradshaw said. In the past, Quakers golf coaches have barely had time to unpack their bags before leaving Penn for other endeavors. Often, the only coaching came from the assistant golf professional at the team's home course, the Philadelphia Cricket Club. But even that limited coaching deteriorated when a past cricket club pro quit, leaving the team with no guidance. "The lack of a coach caused all the problems, namely practicing and a weak tournament schedule," Bradshaw said. "Furthermore, during the first two years I was here, the program lacked organization and leadership." That prompted Penn to begin a search for a new coach. The end result was the hiring of Francis Vaughn, who took the reins as coach last spring. "Francis Vaughn has made all the difference for Penn golf," Bradshaw said. "Maybe not while I'm here, but as long as Francis is here, the quality of Ivy League golf will be better." While the rebuilding process may not see an end in his final two seasons, Bradshaw thinks Vaughn's impact will result in immediate improvement from years past. "People should not be surprised if we win two or three tournaments outright this year," Bradshaw said. While the stability in the coaching ranks may make a difference, Bradshaw hopes he can play a major role in the Quakers' initial resurgence. "My goal is to lead by example," he said. "The one thing that is changing most are the attitudes about the team and playing better golf." Two freshmen, Rob Goldfaden and Rob Hunt, are expected to play a key role on the team this year, and Bradshaw is doing his part to bring them along. "I can see it in Rob's eyes [that he wants to beat me]," Bradshaw said. "I want him and the other freshmen to knock me off the block." Bradshaw is more than just the team's emotional leader. Easily the team's longest driver, Bradshaw's three wood travels further than many of his fellow Quakers' drivers. Posting six of his eight rounds in the 70s last spring, Bradshaw had the low score at three of Penn's tournaments, including the Ivy League championship. He once posted five birdies in a row. While he is quite proud of his individual accomplishments, Bradshaw is completely focused on the team's goal, an Ivy crown. "I'd like very much to see us win the Ivy League," Bradshaw said. "The attitude of everyone is upbeat and ambitious."