When senior Aaron Byers began hitting the plastic whiffle balls with plastic clubs in his backyard almost 18 years ago, he never thought he would be the top golfer for a Pacific-10 Conference team.
Today, Byers leads the Oregon men’s golf team as it begins its quest for a Pac-10 title.
At the age of 6, Byers had his father to teach him the game of golf — and it just seemed to come naturally.
“He is very blessed with a great deal of natural talent,” Oregon head coach Steve Nosler said. “His swing is about as natural as anyone I have ever had the pleasure of coaching.”
The success Byers has had throughout his career began at West Albany High. In 1997 he was the Oregon prep champion for West Albany and was named the Player of the Year by The Statesman Journal in Salem.
After spending a year at a junior college in Texas, Byers was heavily recruited to play at Oregon and had no problem making the commitment because he said this is where he always wanted to be.
“I’ve always wanted to play golf at a high level,” Byers said. “It has been the best playing Pac-10 golf and for coach Nosler.”

Someone who knows Byers as well as anyone is fellow teammate junior Chris Carnahan. The two have played together since they were eight years old and were teammates at Albany High.
“It’s pretty special,” Carnahan said. “He is Mr. Consistency. He gets the job done day in and day out.”
Consistency and getting the job done is what it has taken for Byers to become Oregon’s No. 1 player. His career statistics include an average drive of 290 yards and a career-best 66 at the Duck Invitational last year. Just about the only thing he hasn’t done is win a tournament as an individual.
“I wish that I would have won one individual (title),” Byers said. “But when we have been successful as a team, that is my biggest thrill.”
Time is running out for Byers with only Pac-10s, regionals and possibly nationals to win an individual title. But there is always the chance to compete professionally.
Byers plans to make a decision at the end of the summer as to whether he will tryout for the PGA Tour, but he said the decision will not be an easy one.
“I realize its going to take a lot of heart and determination,” Byers said. “But I can see myself doing it.”
“Aaron can take it about as far as he wants to go,” Nosler said.

Men ready for Pac-10’s
The stage has finally been set for the 2002 Pac-10 Championship .
And with a course close to home and the momentum they are carrying, the Ducks say they could not be more ready.
Oregon will play the Trysting Tee Golf Course in Corvallis, with 36 holes scheduled today and 18 each on Friday and Saturday .
“We need to go out and play four solid, good rounds,” Carnahan said.
The Ducks got off to a horrible start in the 2001 Pac-10 Championships at Stanford and never recovered. Oregon rallied on the last day to finish eight, just avoiding last place.
But what a difference a year has made. The Ducks have five consecutive top-five finishes and enter five golfers with postseason experience into this year’s tournament.
Byers will make his final “home” appearance in his third Pac-10 Tournament. Junior John Ellis will fill the No. 2 spot with a 72.7 stroke average. Carnahan is No. 3, with senior Brandon Harnden and sophomore Mike Sica filling the four and five spots, respectively.
Oregon will face a more competitive field than ever this time around.
“From top to bottom there are more teams who could win than ever in the history of Pac-10,” Nosler said. “The perception of your program is based on this single event. We have to play good.”

Women finish last

at Walla Walla
The Oregon women’s golf team did not have the final day it wanted and fell one spot to 10th in the final round of the 2002 Pac-10 Championships.
The Ducks shot a final round 318 Wednesday at the Walla Walla Country Club in Washington. Senior Kathy Cho was the Ducks’ low golfer, shooting a four-over 76 to finished tied for 17th at 230 . Cho was Oregon’s only player to finish in the top 40.
Arizona defended its title by shooting an 891 to just hold off UCLA by eight strokes.