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cavalier sports JUNE 2021 9 getting to know First-Year Golfer George Duangmanee P resident Theodore Roosevelt is credited with the expression "speak softly and carry a big stick." That pretty much sums up first-year men's golfer George Duangmanee. A product of Fairfax, Va., Duangmanee's stick is his favorite club — his driver — and he's made quite an impact with it this season for the Cavaliers. He is the only player on the roster to play in each tournament this season and was among the team leaders in stroke average (second, 72.95) heading into the NCAA Championships. He was the team's top finisher at the ACC Championships (22nd), the Timuquana Collegiate (fourth) and Wake Forest Invitational (14th) tournaments. His efforts helped lead UVA to its 13th consecutive appearance in NCAA postseason play. But it was not the typical start to a collegiate career. The ACC's golf programs did not play a fall season, so the spring became a sprint to the postseason and there was not as much time between events to focus on improvement. "It certainly would have helped to have a fall season because it would have prepared us better for the spring," Duangmanee said. "For me, as a freshman to go straight into college golf, it was a big transition. It would have been nice to play in the fall, to get used to playing in all of the tournaments and the experience of traveling with the team. "The year has not gone the way I expected in terms of the playing season being shorter, but overall I'm happy with being at UVA and working with Coach [Bowen] Sargent and developing my golf game." Duangmanee's success is no surprise. He came to UVA ranked as the No. 11 player in the nation for his class. In 2020, he com- peted in the U.S. Amateur Championship and reached the semifi- nals of the Western Amateur Championship. As a junior amateur, he was twice named to the Rolex All-America team. What helped set Duangmanee apart from others on the junior circuit was his length off the tee. "He's 18, 19 years old and he can hit it as far as guys five years older who have had more time to develop their bodies in college and add strength," Sargent said. "The other parts of his game are improving as well, but his length, he has such an advantage there." Sargent's office includes a wall of All-America plaques from for- mer UVA standouts. He fully expects to see one for Duangmanee there in the near future. "He's the most talented golfer that's been in this program since I've been here," said Sargent, who is in his 17th season coaching the Cavaliers. "He's done great as far as I'm concerned, but he does not necessarily agree. He has higher expectations. "I think everybody sees his potential and I think his future is very, very bright." — Jim Daves Duangmanee was UVA's top finisher at the ACC Championships, placing 22nd with a 3-over-par 213. PHOTO BY JIM DAVES/COURTESY UVA