Russ Toms

2001 Season Outlook

There is reason to be optimistic about the Cedarville University men's golf season. Head coach Jim Kragel welcomes back all six golfers from last year's roster and has added three newcomers who should provide some immediate depth.

"We play against some of the best NAIA teams in the nation as evidenced by American Mideast Conference member Malone winning both the NAIA and NCCAA national tournaments last year," says Kragel. "We keep improving each year in smaller increments than I had hoped, but this year's team, if they all stay healthy, should take us to that next level where we can compete for championship honors.

"Our main goal remains the same, however, and that is to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in everything we do. All of my players recognize that as the most important thing."

Kragel will look to the leadership of seniors Matt Dunn and Russ Toms to provide a positive example on and off the course. Both are four-year members of the program.

Matt Dunn

Dunn returns for his fourth season as the Yellow Jackets' #1 player. He averaged 78.2 strokes per 18 holes as a junior which tied for the 11th-lowest average in CU's long golf history.

Dunn has demonstrated himself to be one of the most consistent players to ever play for the Yellow Jackets. His scores ranged from 75 to 81 in his 14 competitive rounds last spring and he broke 80 on ten occasions. The West Chester, Ohio native, who sports a career 79.3 scoring average, finished second in the Cedarville Invitational with a 76.

Toms became only the second Yellow Jacket golfer to earn NAIA and NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition. The Marion, Indiana product hopes to get back to playing like he did his first two seasons in the program after struggling to an 85.2 average his junior season.

Mike Poelzer's sophomore season got off to a slow start following a bout with mono, but he played in the final nine matches with an average of 84 strokes. He finished the schedule with a season-low 78 at the AMC Championship with signs of returning to the form he had as a freshman when he averaged 82.6. Poelzer spent the fall quarter studying at Oxford University in England.

Mike Poelzer

Pete Vischer, a junior, saw action in eight outings and averaged 88.0. A pair of sophomores gained valuable tournament experience as rookies and hope to improve their games. Craig Bennington averaged 82.8 and carded a season-low 77 in his collegiate debut at Muskingum. He matched that score four days later while placing seventh at Shawnee State and then finished the season with back-to-back 79's at the American Mideast Conference Championship. Tom Simon, who averaged 86.2 with a low round of 81, joined Matt Dunn as the only players to participate in all 14 rounds last spring.

The newcomers include sophomore Tom Brayton as well as freshmen Jeff Beckley and Paul Laborde. Brayton, who transferred from NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan, possesses an impressive list of credentials. He was a Michigan Class A (large school) all-state performer when he averaged 73.2 as a senior and he played on one state championship squad. Kragel also believes Beckley and Laborde exhibit the potential to be quality collegiate golfers.

The schedule includes three 18-hole tournaments, five 36-hole invitationals, and the season concludes with the 54-hole AMC Championship. The 20th Annual Cedarville Invitational goes to 36 holes for the first time ever with the first day on April 23 scheduled for the Beavercreek Golf Club with the final round staged at Country Club of the North.