There isn't much time to change who you are at the end of any athletic season - by then you've become the player you're basically going to be for the short term.
Wes Gosselin is happy with who he is heading into his biggest golf tournament this season.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior begins competition today at an NCAA regional in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Gosselin, an at-large individual qualifier, is enjoying the best season of his college career, shooting a career low in stroke average (72.29) while finishing in the top five at two tournaments and in the top 10 five times out of 12 starts. He also shot career lows for 18 holes (66), 36 holes (141) and 54 holes (209), knocking six shots off his previous career best.
The top five teams at the regional will advance to the NCAA championships, set for May 27 through June 1 at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club, but with Gosselin the lone Moc in Tuscaloosa, he'll have to have the lowest score among golfers not on a team advancing.
"I'm real excited to get down there and play," Gosselin said. "I wish the whole team could be down there - we made some real progress as a team this year - but I look forward to getting down there. I hope I represent us well."
Gosselin is among 10 golfers competing as individuals, and they join 13 teams in the field.
Gosselin has previously played the par-72, 7,514-yard course at the Ol' Colony Golf Complex, although it's been a while and the layout has likely changed from when he was "11 or 12" years old. The length would suggest the importance of spending a lot of practice time with the driver, and Gosselin has.
"While I may not have the home-course knowledge that the Bama guys might have," Gosselin said, "I feel confident in my ability to prepare, understand what the course will require, and in my ability to execute that."
That he will be going in blind isn't necessarily a bad thing, Mocs coach Mark Guhne said. He thinks it will give Gosselin an opportunity to play with a little more freedom and not worry about what pitfalls may lie ahead.
Guhne also believes Gosselin can not only qualify for the NCAA championships but finish in the top 15 in Eugene and earn All-America status, something last done by a UTC golfer (Chris Robb) two seasons ago.
"Wes has had a really good season. He's been consistent all year long, worked hard, and he's done what he's needed to do to put himself in position," Guhne said. "Wes has a chance to go down and do well. He has the game to be in the top 15. When he got in, I feel he has a great chance to do better.
"I'm excited for him. I think he could have a great tournament, and we'll see what happens."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.