Impact player on the green
 

By Lyndsey Shinoda
Daily Forty-Niner

There's a new face on the green at Long Beach State.

Junior Nick Seymour transferred to LBSU from Oklahoma State University this fall, and his presence on the men's golf team is sure to make waves for the 49ers.

Born in Tustin, the19-year-old business major is excited to be back in California after two years in Oklahoma. He said the people and culture as a whole are different there, complete with guys walking around in Wranglers, huge belt buckles and cowboy hats.

"My golf game was so-so, and I wanted to be somewhere I'd be happy so I could play my best golf," Seymour said.

He was also looking at San Diego State and UCLA when considering transfer options, but chose Long Beach because he knew some players on the team from junior golf and felt like he'd play his best here.

Seymour gained a wealth of experience at Oklahoma, which was last year's national champions and is a perennial golf powerhouse.

"I bring a good, solid golf game that should be able to help the team out, along with my laid back attitude," Seymour said. "I feel like we can be real good this year if we play solid golf. It's more of a challenge, because we know we can be good, we have to see if we're up to the task."

In August, Seymour qualified for this year's U.S. Amateur Championship, the first 49er to do so in 8 years. He was also selected for the Academic All-Big 12 Conference in 1998, but redshirted at Oklahoma last year due to a broken collarbone.

Seymour has been playing golf since he was 11-years-old, and started competing in tournaments at 13. He knew that if he kept practicing and improving, he'd be able to play for a college team.

"I just love the game, being out there playing in the nice weather," he said. "A lot of people would want to be in my shoes, playing golf all the time."

Head Coach Bob Livingstone is confident in Seymour's abilities.

"Coming from one of the top five programs in the country and judging from how he played this summer, Nick will motivate everyone to get better," he said.

Livingstone said top 49er golfers John Mallinger and Brian Merrick will vie against Seymour for the top role on the squad.

"I hope he will bring the mind set of a championship to the program," Livingstone said. "He can help them believe they are as good as they really are."

Seymour said the competition will make them all better players.

"You want to beat them. No one likes losing," Seymour said.  "Competition is good." He also has high expectations for the season. "We want to win at least a couple of tournaments, make the national championship and play well," Seymour said. "I'd like to see our team ranked in the top 15 in the country."