Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s men’s and women's golf coach Mike King expects his squads to be able to put together terrific seasons, albeit for different reasons.
King said he thought men’s golf would build off the experience that they gained last year as the players have started to transition to veterans on the team.
“We were a very young team last year,” he said. “We had several sophomores and freshmen on the travel team. They gained valuable experience which should make them better prepared for this year. The experience gained last year should help them be better prepared this year. We have a group of men that on any given weekend, that someone different could lead us. It should be an exciting year.”
With the women’s team, King is looking for senior leadership to lead the way to a tremendous year.
“We will be an experienced team this year led by four seniors,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the competition that we face this year. (Due to) the veteran leadership, I feel that we will be prepared for the upcoming season.”
King said having to deal with playing a full season during the COVID-19 pandemic only hardened the players ability to focus on the task at hand.
“We were fortunate that COVID did not affect us last season,” he said. “We had to do a few things different, but we were able to complete a full season. Any adversity that we faced last year as a team should make us stronger this year.”
King is entering his eighth season as MVNU's men’s and women's golf coach and he said the players and coaches’ preparation in the offseason is just as critical once the season starts.
“Hard to believe this will be my eighth year,” he said. “I believe over the years that if players come in prepared after the summer that the team wins and losses will take care of themselves. Not only is it important for the player’s to be prepared, but it is just as important that the staff be prepared.”
The men’s roster will be led by junior team captain’s Brock Dettmer and Michael Hahn. The rest of the team is rounded out by Brandon Main (SR), Austin Goodwill (SR), Jesse Brunton (JR), Jordan Hoag (JR), Dylan Errington (SO), Thad Weaver (SO), Riley Wilcoxon (SO), Max Hahn (FR), and transfer student-athlete Skylar Wiggand (SO).
The men’s team will start their season Sept. 7 playing in the Ohio Dominican Invitational at the Hickory Hills Golf Club in Grove City.
The women’s roster will be led by senior team captain’s Peyton Broce and Emily Wilson. The rest of the team is comprised of Katie Bruursema (SR), Kate Von Handorf (SR), Isabela Carvajal (FR) and Elaine Kirkbride (FR).
The women’s team will start their season Sept. 6 playing in the Huntington Invitational at the Brookwood Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
King’s coaching staff includes assistant coaches Sam Romine and TT Crouch, along with grad assistant Madison Harsh.
