An already talented Ball State men’s golf team added another skilled player to its roster Monday.
The No. 27 Cardinals picked up Michigan State transfer McCormick Clouser, who will be eligible to play in the spring season.
The sophomore has already compiled an impressive résumé in his year-and-a-half of collegiate play. He competed in 11 of Michigan State’s 12 events in his inaugural season, averaging a score of 74.76, including four top-20 finishes. His ties for 18th place at the Big Ten Championship helped earn the Spartans a fourth place finish. For his efforts he was awarded with the “Best First Year Player” team honor by Michigan State.
This past fall Clouser played in all six of the team’s events carding an average score of 75.3, earning a top-ten finish and three top-20 finishes. Coach Mike Fleck is excited to add more talent to his impressive record.
“[Clouser] adds depth to our team,” Fleck said. “He is definitely capable of competing for a spot on our top-five and fits right in there, it will be really interesting how it works out.”
On campus and enrolled full-time at Ball State, Clouser is looking to make an instant impact on the team. Because the NCAA recognizes golf as a spring sport and because of some uniqueness to the sport, Clouser will be able to compete this spring.
Hailing from Bluffton, Ind., Clouser attended Norwell High School, where he posted impressive numbers and met many of the current Ball State players in summer play.
“These Indiana kids know each other,” Fleck said. “He probably knows most of the guys on our team as well as he knew the guys on his team at Michigan State.”
This is also not the first encounter Fleck has had with Clouser.
“We actually recruited [Clouser] out of high school,” Fleck said. “He was definitely on our radar.”
The Cardinals will begin their spring season by hosting the Mid-American Conference Match Play Feb. 11 at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, Fla.
