After a weekend off, the men's golf team will start what head coach Mike Fleck said is the most important part of its schedule on Friday.
The team played three tournaments in March but faced mostly teams outside of this region. Now the team heads to Huntington, W. Va., for the Marshall Invitational, which has eight Mid-American Conference and two Big Ten schools competing.
"We've got four tournaments coming up that are going to be pretty big," Fleck said. "We need to go out and compete at a high level."
During the time off, the Cardinals have worked mostly on an individual basis, and Fleck has been stressing how important the right mindset is.
The team will be taking seniors Bud Graessle and Lance Scholl, junior Patrick Wilkes-Krier and sophomores Wayne Denger and C.D. Hockersmith.
Denger is coming off a week in which he was named the MAC's golfer of the week after tying for third overall at the UALR Collegiate Invitational.
"Wayne is probably the biggest reason we've had the success we've had," Fleck said. "He works very hard at his game in all areas."
The week before, he finished in a tie for sixth at the El Diable intercollegiate, and of the three tournaments so far, he has been the Cardinals' top man twice.
"Spring has been really good," Denger said. "It started off really well, and, hopefully, it continues."
Denger said he is still focusing on improving his short game.
"Usually, whenever that gets going in a tournament, that's when I play well," he said.
Like the coach has stressed, Denger is also working on his mental game. He said he mostly tries to stay positive and visualize how things will go.
Denger said he hopes the team can win the tournament this weekend, but definitely wants to finish in the top three. The course at the Marshall Invitational may help with that goal, as it is one of the easiest the team has played so far this season.
"I expect the world, but I hope that doesn't put to much pressure on us," he said. "We might have a shot at this one. If we play right, we can do it."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
