Texas A&M golf's Brian Kortan looks back on winning 2021 Aggie Invitational

Key notes from Brian Kortan interview

• It's a tough sport to win in. With what Sam Bennett has done, it's tough. We can beat one team or beat two teams, but when you start adding them up, it gets tough. We beat 16 teams this weekend. To do it at home in front of family, friends and the people at Traditions Club who do so many things for us, was special. It will stick with me for some time.
   
• After the hail storm on Tuesday night, we were out there rubbing our foreheads, wondering if this tournament was going to even happen. The other 16 teams were already in town. Our superintendent and the people at Traditions figured it out and got the heavy rollers up and running. They knocked it out. Kudos to them for the effort. I was fully ready to say we couldn't play because the hail made those greens look like the moon.
   
• The highlights are getting the trophies at the end. The playoff was a lot of fun and a great experience builder for the guys. They were excited to get it going. Oklahoma's coach wanted to play it off because they had no place to go. We told our squads what was going on, and each team played the 18th hole. We played four scores out of the five, and we came out on top. It's kind of like a walk-off because when that last putt goes in, and you know you've won, it's quite the feeling.
   
• Sam Bennett has put round after round together. He is a competitive son of a gun, and he has learned to compete and calm himself. He has learned to temper his excitement and do what he does well. He has done a great job doing it. We've watched him for a few years now, and we always knew his stuff was there.
   
• Physically, with other sports, you can work things out. With golf, it starts with controlling the mental part of it. The physical gifts, the eyes, hands and ability to repeat his swing, are there with Bennett. To mature and know he can compete with anybody is the lesson he has learned this year. The proof has happened, and now that he believes, he has been great.
   
• Dan Erickson is a great talent. When it comes together, it's pretty to watch. He can string shots together that open your eyes. I've been waiting on a round from him like that for a while. I think he calmed down that last round and played golf like he's capable on a golf course he's comfortable with that final round 68.
   
• You need to have all five guys in it. It takes the even-par and those guys sticking in there. When you hang around, it gives the whole team a chance. When we're five strong, we've got a chance because I've got a competitive group.
   
• I'm passionate about Texas A&M golf. I've been here for eight years now, and College Station has become part of my family's life. To have the opportunity to do this for this year and hopefully beyond is the peak of your sport. To be part of these young men's lives and this university at a level like this is a dream come true.
   
• Every one of our six guys is competitive. They've each had great tournaments. I'm very fortunate to have the depth, strength and leadership we have. We'll keep putting the best five together moving forward. I'm thankful to have six guys who have performed. It makes me feel pretty good as a golf coach.
   
• Sea Island is a great golf course, and our guys love to play it. It'll be firm and fast. Our conference is a great golf conference. There are a handful of us that are extremely similar with a ton of experience. It should be a great test, and we look forward to it every year.
   
• I didn't have much of a chance to watch The Masters, but I always follow Ryan Palmer and Cam Champ. They're great Aggies. My hands were full this weekend, though. Running a home golf tournament is not showing up at the first tee and watching 18 holes. We did so much work, and so many other people put in a ton that made it a great event.