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April 9, 2008

OWU’s Tommy Harman ’10 Breaks School Golf Record

OWU’s Tommy Harman’s record-breaking score of 65 at last week’s Camp Lejeune Invitational, surpassed the school record of 66 strokes for 18 holes, set by Chad Poling.

Sophomore Tommy Harman, a member of the Ohio Wesleyan golf team, etched his name into the Battling Bishop record books when he fired a 5-under-par 65 during the Camp Lejeune Invitational on March 29.

Harman’s 65 broke the school record of 66 strokes for 18 holes set by Chad Poling at the PGA of Southern California during the 2004 NCAA Division III championship. That round helped Ohio Wesleyan tie the school record of 277 shots for 18 holes set last year, also at the Paradise Point Scarlet course.

“He just played a good round without making any mistakes,” says Ohio Wesleyan golf coach Jon Whithaus. “He’s been 5-under at a couple of tournaments before but didn’t finish them off.”

Harman has been among the Bishops’ top five golfers for the entire 2007-08 season. Last fall at Allegheny’s Griffin Motors Classic, Harman shot a first-round 69 and ended up tying for second place among individuals in the field.

Harman has cut his average from 78.90 in 2006-07 to 75.13 this season, an improvement Whithaus attributes to competition and comfort.

“He’s definitely talented, and it’s helped him to have the depth we have on the team,” Whithaus says. “We’ve had eight or nine guys shoot 71 or better in a tournament this year, which has helped push Tommy on the course. I think the year of maturity from last year to this year has helped him as well—he’s very well settled in and enjoying life more.”

Ohio Wesleyan continues its season on Saturday and Sunday, when the Bishops host their annual Strimer Memorial Invitational at Oakhaven Golf Club. Denison, DePauw, Hiram, Kenyon, Oberlin, Olivet, Tri-State, Wabash, Wittenberg and Wooster join the Bishops in this year’s field.

The Strimer Memorial Invitational honors the memory of coach Bob Strimer, who was involved in Ohio Wesleyan athletics for over half a century. During his tenure at Ohio Wesleyan, he served as athletics director for 22 years. He also served as head basketball coach, head golf coach, head baseball coach and was an assistant coach in football and track & field. After his retirement, Strimer remained active in athletics, alumni and development affairs for over 2 decades.

– Mark Beckenbach