North Carolina State University Athletics
Franken Finds Further Success During Summer Competitions
9/6/2016 9:44:00 AM | Men's Golf
September 6, 2016
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By Trey Baker
for GoPack.com
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After a successful freshman season that included earning the lowest stroke average on the NC State men's golf team and landing a spot on the PING All-Region East Team, Stephen Franken still went into the summer with the mindset for improvement.
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The sophomore began the summer by winning medalist honors at the stroke play portion of the 2016 Men's North and South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst No. 2. Through two rounds, Franken recorded a total score of 139 (-1). After his first round he was at even par and then went on to score a 69, bringing him to one under par for the tournament.
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Just a few weeks later, he qualified for the 116th U.S. Amateur after winning a sectional tournament at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo, Pa. Leading up to the U.S. Amateur, Franken kept the same mindset as he did going into the Men's North and South Amateur Championship.
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"I practiced a lot of short game strokes and putting," Franken said in an August interview.
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After finishing 11th in stroke play at the prestigious U.S. Amateur, Franken advanced to the first round of match play. Heading into this second phase of the tournament, he endeavored to keep things simple.
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"(I wanted) to play conservative but also aggressive at the same time, taking chances where I got them, but playing my opponent first and foremost."
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After beating his opponent in the first round of match play, he then advanced to the round of 32, where he was narrowly edged in a marathon 23-hole match.
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The 116th U.S. Amateur was not only a success but a learning experience as well.
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"It was really good," he added. "I learned a lot about myself, a lot about my game, and a lot about my strengths and weaknesses."
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Playing golf on national television was nice, too.
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"It was really cool that we had five cameras following the group," Franken laughed.
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Franken and the Wolfpack head down to Middle Tennessee State September 18-20 to start the season off at The Franklin American Mortgage Intercollegiate at the Grove tournament in College Grove, Tenn.
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#GoPack
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By Trey Baker
for GoPack.com
Â
After a successful freshman season that included earning the lowest stroke average on the NC State men's golf team and landing a spot on the PING All-Region East Team, Stephen Franken still went into the summer with the mindset for improvement.
Â
The sophomore began the summer by winning medalist honors at the stroke play portion of the 2016 Men's North and South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst No. 2. Through two rounds, Franken recorded a total score of 139 (-1). After his first round he was at even par and then went on to score a 69, bringing him to one under par for the tournament.
Â
Just a few weeks later, he qualified for the 116th U.S. Amateur after winning a sectional tournament at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo, Pa. Leading up to the U.S. Amateur, Franken kept the same mindset as he did going into the Men's North and South Amateur Championship.
Â
"I practiced a lot of short game strokes and putting," Franken said in an August interview.
Â
After finishing 11th in stroke play at the prestigious U.S. Amateur, Franken advanced to the first round of match play. Heading into this second phase of the tournament, he endeavored to keep things simple.
Â
"(I wanted) to play conservative but also aggressive at the same time, taking chances where I got them, but playing my opponent first and foremost."
Â
After beating his opponent in the first round of match play, he then advanced to the round of 32, where he was narrowly edged in a marathon 23-hole match.
Â
The 116th U.S. Amateur was not only a success but a learning experience as well.
Â
"It was really good," he added. "I learned a lot about myself, a lot about my game, and a lot about my strengths and weaknesses."
Â
Playing golf on national television was nice, too.
Â
"It was really cool that we had five cameras following the group," Franken laughed.
Â
Franken and the Wolfpack head down to Middle Tennessee State September 18-20 to start the season off at The Franklin American Mortgage Intercollegiate at the Grove tournament in College Grove, Tenn.
Â
#GoPack
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