With an experienced lineup ready to compete for the Mid-American Conference tournament championships later in the spring, the men’s golf team looks to prepare for its championship quest this fall.
The Cardinals have eight returning upperclassman, including C.D. Hockersmith, who was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2004. He also won his first career collegiate tournament at the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational last year.
“It’s extremely important that the majority of the guys who will see action in the spring have experience,” coach Mike Fleck said.
Senior Patrick Wilkes-Krier and juniors Wayne Denger, Andy Skillman and Hockersmith will compete in the Hawkeye Intercollegiate, hosted by Iowa University, this weekend. Joining them will be freshman Ben Lakoff, who arrived on the team after leading Richmond High School to a top-three finish in each of the past three years at the Indiana High School Athletic Association State Championships.
Nine teams will compete over the weekend in Iowa, among them Michigan, Butler and Loyola-Chicago.
“We want to try to go out and do as well as we can and try to win the tournament,” Fleck said. “It’s a great opportunity to be competitive right away.”
Last season, the Cardinals finished third in the MAC championships after finishing runner-up in the First Energy Intercollegiate at Firestone Country Club in Akron. Kent State won the MAC and Eastern Michigan finished runner-up, 19 shots behind. Ball State finished 31 shots behind Kent State and 12 behind the Eagles.
Ball State will play in five tournaments in the fall. The Cardinals travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. for the Wolverine Invitational on Sept. 24-25. The Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational, hosted by Ball State, will be held the following week.
“It’s a good opportunity in that you see teams who you’ll see in the spring,” Fleck said of competing in during the fall schedule.
Other returning players are seniors Brandon Boomsma and Ryan Hungate and juniors Kyle Cox and Austin Steele. Three other freshmen also join the program — Chris Hanson, Brian Maurer and Matt Schumaker. Sophomore Ivan Fuganti will also compete for the Cards.
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