Justin Hesser
Sports Editor
The Ball State men's golf team did not lose any players to graduation and will return a trio of seniors this season.
Lance Scholl, Bud Graessle and Mike Kasula will look to lead a team that finished fourth at the Mid-American Conference Championships last season.
The team will also have three juniors that have proven they can play. Brandon Boomsma, Ryan Hungate and Patrick Wilkes-Krier make up that group.
The Cardinals will also see the return of sophomore C.D. Hockersmith who was named to the All-MAC Second Team last season. At the end of last season he was also voted the team's Most Valuable Player.
The team has been participating in golf tournaments throughout the summer and will look to establish a strong lineup during their fall season.
"I expect everyone on the team to be ready," Wilkes-Krier said.
Many of the players had strong performances in opens this summer. Sophomore Wayne Denger was one of those, he posted the lowest score by an amateur at the 2004 Pepsi Indiana Open. He had rounds of 70, 74, 76 and 72 for a four round total of 292, which was good enough to tie for fifth place.
Hockersmith also competed in that open and posted a four round total of 296 to finish in 12th place.
That was not the only event Hockersmith competed in, he was invited to participate in the 104th North and South Amateur Championship held on Pinehurst golf course.
Hockersmith had a first round score of 74 and a second round score of 75 and tied for 77th overall before missing the cut by one stroke.
After a busy summer that should have seen plenty of improvement by its members, the team will look to regroup in the fall.
"I think we have to focus on establishing a pretty solid lineup and then establish confidence," Wilkes-Krier said. "I think we have enough to be tough contenders in the MAC."
Although the Cardinals would like to contend for the MAC Championship, their biggest hope is that senior Justin Cross will join them on the golf course this season.
Cross has been battling leukemia, but team members are hoping he can join them for his final season.
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