Vermont is known primarily for its maple syrup, ski slopes and vast landscapes, not golf. However, a few players from the Green Mountain State have found their way onto the radar the last couple of years.
Bryson Richards, from Plainfield, Vt., is a mixture of athleticism and competitiveness that any coach would want on his roster. In his five seasons at the University of Rhode Island, Richards has left his mark on the program not just with his excellent play, but also with his positive spirit and work ethic.
Richards has had some obstacles. He’s the last of the college athletes who can point to COVID-19 as an interruption to his college career. The spring of his freshman season was wiped out in 2020.
“He’s used that opportunity better than anyone I’ve seen,” URI coach Gregg Burke said.
Burke witnessed Richards go to work in the gym to add strength and speed. Speed is the name of the game these days, and swinging the club faster while maintaining control is vital to improvement, especially off the tee.
One of Burke’s recruiting criteria is finding golfers who played other sports growing up.