Sometimes, it’s all a matter of perspective.

Ryan Day of Lamoine concluded his collegiate career recently at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with one individual title, at the Rehoboth Beach (Del.) Invitational on Oct. 2, but coach Scott Allen saw more than just that in Day.

As a team, the Colonials won only one event, but Allen even saw the bright side of that and Day’s contribution to it.

There’s always the historical perspective, and there’s also hindsight.

The fact the Lamoine native won a tournament emphasized to Allen how much progress Day had made since his arrival in 1997.

“When he was a freshman, he hit it a long way,” said the seventh-year coach. “It’s a testament how he’s matured to win on a course that would’ve eaten his lunch as a freshman.”

“I didn’t hit the ball particularly well,” said Day of the one-day, 36-hole competition at King’s Creek Country Club, “but I did what I needed to.

“I missed in the right places. It’s a tight a course, and you can make some really big mistakes.”

Day posted rounds of 72-74 for 146 and a two-stroke victory.

According to Allen, Day arrived in the fall of 1997 as the school strengthened its program. Day, said Allen, improved as the team did.

“He was part of a big freshman class on a team that needed its freshman to play a lot,” said Allen. “Each year, I continued to recruit stronger and stronger players. Every time better players came on board, Ryan worked harder.”

More impressively, according to Allen, he continued to improve his standing on the team.

“Even as we brought in better players, he went from being the fourth or fifth man to being first or second,” said Allen.

The one tournament win, ironically, was in March in Bermuda when the Colonials defeated the University of Maine 305-323.

“It was kind of fun,” said Day. “I knew three of the players, Chris Emerson, Steve Shuman, and Tim Bonenfant.”

Day went to George Washington because he wanted to go south to play, but his parents (Roger and Debra Day) wanted him close enough so they could see him play occasionally. It turned out they saw about half of his tournaments this year, including his win.

“Maybe I would’ve liked to go further south,” said Day, but then he might not have had the same chances.

Day sent his golf resume to Allen, who recognized in Day’s accomplishments something he could build with.

“He won the Blueberry Open,” said Allen. “People laugh when I mention Blueberry Open, but I know what a big tournament that is.”

George Washington’s program needed a lot of work, and Allen was happy to land Day.

“Eight to 10 years ago, we were one of the worst schools in [NCAA] Division I,” said Allen. “We were begging to be let into tournaments.”

Now with the aid of Day and other players who have joined the Colonials since then, Allen is getting his program closer to where he wants it.

“He was finishing in the top 10 more against national-caliber teams than the more regional competition he faced as a freshman,” said Allen.

“I’m proud of myself for getting a player like Ryan. I knew he would be a player who could contribute for us,” said Allen.

Day’s contributions were noted in a historical context as he was named to the school’s 1990s All-Decade Team.

“I was really surprised and really honored,” said Day. “I’m friends with some of them; there are some real good players on it.”

Allen, who was also named to the 1990s team, said Day earned it.

“He’s ranked very high in career starts. His win put him in the top five in top-5 finishes,” said Allen. “He’s one of the best in GW history as well as his era.”

Day isn’t sure what his future will bring. His immediate goal is to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.

He plans to keep playing amateur golf this summer, including defending his R.H. Foster Energy/Mobil Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament championship in June and the Maine Amateur in July, before deciding what career path to take.

“I’d like to do something with sports – ESPN, Golf Channel, USGA,” said the history major, who definitely does not want to teach school. “I don’t think I’m cut out for that.”

“I may turn pro in the future, but I’m not sure if I have the game for it,” said Day. “I’d love to be able to.”

Dave Barber is the NEWS golf writer. The Golf scene will appear each Wednesday through September. He can be reached at 990-8170 or by e-mail at dbarber@bangordailynews.net.