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2002 Season Outlook The Cedarville University golf program features a new coach and four returning players entering the 2002 campaign. Ryan Bowen, a former #1 player and NAIA District 22 medalist for the Yellow Jackets, becomes the seventh head coach in the 41-year history of the program. "This will be a new opportunity for me, but it's something I'm very much looking forward to," said Bowen after taking over the position from seven-year head coach Jim Kragel. "We have players who have shown improvement each year and have the ability to play some good golf." Bowen has experienced tournament golf as a competitor on the collegiate level and he hopes to translate his philosophy to his players as a mentor. "We'll be concentrating on consistency which is something any golfer has to be disciplined at," he said. "I want them to learn to limit their mistakes during a round. A lack of focus can turn a good round into an average one or even an average round into a bad one. Limiting mistakes can save critical strokes during a tournament."
The lone senior is three-year letter winner Mike Poelzer. He played in the #3 slot last year and averaged 82.0 strokes per 18 holes. He carded an 82 or better in 11 rounds and finished the season with scores of 79-77-79 at the American Mideast Conference Championships. Craig Bennington, who has been the team's #2 player during his first two seasons, is poised to move into the top spot with the graduation of four-year #1 player Matt Dunn. The 6-foot-3 junior averaged 80.8 for the season, but he was the team's best player with a 77.3 average over the final half of the schedule. Bennington tied for 15th at the AMC Championships with rounds of 73-79-77. Tom Simon, a junior and another two-year letter winner, has played in every match during his career. He held down the #5 spot last spring with an 83.8 average and finished with a season-low 78 in the AMC Championships.
Sophomore returnee Jeff Beckley will be competing for more action during his second season in the program. He carded an 87 in his lone appearance as a rookie at the Central State Invitational. Classmate Jonathan Brust joins the squad as a transfer from Augustana College in Illinois. The only freshman on the roster is Ben Foreman, who put together a notable career at Davidson High School in Hilliard, OH. While Bowen strives to see success on the course, his goals go one step further. "I want the players to improve their golf, but I want them to grow spiritually as well," he explained. "Golf is a game that they can play for the rest of their lives. It is something that can be played to glorify Jesus Christ and be used as a ministry." The schedule includes three 18-hole tournaments, four 36-hole invitationals, and the season concludes with the 54-hole AMC Championship. The 21st Annual Cedarville Invitational will again utilize the Beavercreek Golf Club on opening day with the final round staged at the prestigious Country Club of the North. | |||||||||||||||
