Ball State University Athletics
Preview: Young Men's Golf Team Prepares For 2007-08
August 27, 2007 | Men's Golf
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State Coach Mike Fleck not only has to deal with the loss of five seniors in 2007, he and his team also have the challenge of dealing with the loss of freshman Travis Smith.
Smith was tragically killed in a car crash on January 27, 2007 in Muncie. Smith entered the 2006-2007 season as a true freshman and instantly earned a spot at or near the top of BSU's everyday lineup.
“We still miss Travis on an everyday basis,” Fleck said. “Obviously we really miss him as part of the program, but it's just one of those situations where as difficult and challenging as it may be at times, we really have to focus on the future and take a one day at a time approach with it. That's the way Travis would want it.”
As the 2007-2008 season gets underway, Fleck faces yet another difficult challenge -- the loss of five seniors and his team leader to graduation. The seniors from a year ago -- which included at least three and many times four in BSU's everyday competitive lineup -- included Austin Steele, Andy Skillman, C.D. Hockersmith, Kyle Cox and Wayne Denger, who was named the Travis J. Smith Most Valuable Player. “
We definitely turned the roster over in the last year,” Fleck said. “We've lost all five of our seniors -- four of which played rather extensively -- and Travis, who was one of our top players. “One of our goals this fall is just to see where everyone is and the only way to do that is to get them out and playing in tournaments. I see this as a very big opportunity for these guys on the roster to stand out and get one of those top spots on the roster. It also gives them an opportunity to gain experience and establish themselves as we move into the spring season. In my nine seasons as coach I have never had a fall where so many spots are open.”
Fleck's 2007-2008 roster consists of five juniors, one sophomore and three freshman. The only player on the Ball State roster with competitive collegiate experience is Maurer.
As a sophomore, Maurer played in six tournaments and logged 17 competitive rounds. He finished in the top 15 in three tournaments.
“Brian is the only one coming back with what I would say is extensive tournament experience,” Fleck said. “Brian was our only MAC competitor that returned this year and I'm hoping because of that fact, our team qualifiers will be much more competitive this year.”
Ball State has added another junior to the squad who has some experience playing with this group. Andrew Rhodes, a junior at BSU, has come on board looking to challenge for a top spot on the roster.
“Andrew has attended BSU for the past three years and he understands the atmosphere here,” Fleck said. “He tried out early in his career and didn't quite make it but he persevered, really worked hard and he had a great summer.”
Anthony Novak, Eric Skillman and Eric Steger make up the group of freshman added to the roster this year.
“Each freshman has a certain connection with Ball State and they each understand the tradition of Ball State golf,” Fleck said. “The parents of Eric Steger each attended Ball State University and his father was a two time All-American on the golf team. Eric is another kid who we are looking at to have an immediate impact this year.”
Skillman also has a strong tie to Ball State golf, he is the younger brother of recent graduate Andy Skillman.
“Eric was a great addition to our golf team. He knows the work ethic and what it takes to compete at this level. We know what type of person we are getting from a family and work ethic stand point.”
Novak has a unique tie to the Ball State golf team. “Novak's swing instructor -- Matt Blair -- was part of the Ball State golf team when I played,” Fleck said. “Matt has done a great job communicating to Anthony what our golf program is all about and what our expectations are.
“My goal for all three of freshman is to come in and experience success in the fall season, whether it is at the tournament level or just getting experience at the collegiate level.”
With so much youth on the team, Fleck is looking toward his talented junior class to emerge as leaders on and off the course.
“From an experience standpoint, Brian Maurer is definitely our leader on the course in terms of what he's done and what he has earned over the last two years,” Fleck said. “From a standpoint of giving the team a sense of direction, I'm looking toward the entire junior class. Brian, Ben Lakoff, Matt Schumaker and Chris Hanson have been with the program for over two years, and now with the addition of Andrew Rhodes, we really have five guys who have been around the block.
“These kids know what the expectations are for our program and more importantly they know what they need to do on a day-to-day basis to meet those goals and expectations.”
With youth and talent abundant on the team, Fleck is confident his team has a legitimate shot at winning the MAC this year.
“Our goal is try to win a tournament or two this fall and I think if the players continue to build on the success they had this summer and continue to push each other, I feel we have a legit chance of reaching our competitive goals in the spring.”
The Cardinals will look to build off of a fourth place finish at the 2007 MAC Championship.
“I think what we took away from our strong finish last year, is this is a process, and our goal is to play our best golf at the end of the year when the MAC Championship is on the line,” Fleck said. “Our goal is to learn and improve on a week-to-week basis now and through the spring and be prepared for the MAC Championship.”
The 2007-2008 season sees Ball State again host the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational, a trip to the famed “Music City USA” Nashville, Tenn., a return to the historic Pinehurst Golf Club and of course the MAC Championship in May.
The Cardinals will play internationally for the first time in collegiate competition for a spring trip to the North Texas Classic played at El Tigre Resort in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.
For this group of young golfers, experience is everything.
Smith was tragically killed in a car crash on January 27, 2007 in Muncie. Smith entered the 2006-2007 season as a true freshman and instantly earned a spot at or near the top of BSU's everyday lineup.
“We still miss Travis on an everyday basis,” Fleck said. “Obviously we really miss him as part of the program, but it's just one of those situations where as difficult and challenging as it may be at times, we really have to focus on the future and take a one day at a time approach with it. That's the way Travis would want it.”
As the 2007-2008 season gets underway, Fleck faces yet another difficult challenge -- the loss of five seniors and his team leader to graduation. The seniors from a year ago -- which included at least three and many times four in BSU's everyday competitive lineup -- included Austin Steele, Andy Skillman, C.D. Hockersmith, Kyle Cox and Wayne Denger, who was named the Travis J. Smith Most Valuable Player. “
We definitely turned the roster over in the last year,” Fleck said. “We've lost all five of our seniors -- four of which played rather extensively -- and Travis, who was one of our top players. “One of our goals this fall is just to see where everyone is and the only way to do that is to get them out and playing in tournaments. I see this as a very big opportunity for these guys on the roster to stand out and get one of those top spots on the roster. It also gives them an opportunity to gain experience and establish themselves as we move into the spring season. In my nine seasons as coach I have never had a fall where so many spots are open.”
Fleck's 2007-2008 roster consists of five juniors, one sophomore and three freshman. The only player on the Ball State roster with competitive collegiate experience is Maurer.
As a sophomore, Maurer played in six tournaments and logged 17 competitive rounds. He finished in the top 15 in three tournaments.
“Brian is the only one coming back with what I would say is extensive tournament experience,” Fleck said. “Brian was our only MAC competitor that returned this year and I'm hoping because of that fact, our team qualifiers will be much more competitive this year.”
Ball State has added another junior to the squad who has some experience playing with this group. Andrew Rhodes, a junior at BSU, has come on board looking to challenge for a top spot on the roster.
“Andrew has attended BSU for the past three years and he understands the atmosphere here,” Fleck said. “He tried out early in his career and didn't quite make it but he persevered, really worked hard and he had a great summer.”
Anthony Novak, Eric Skillman and Eric Steger make up the group of freshman added to the roster this year.
“Each freshman has a certain connection with Ball State and they each understand the tradition of Ball State golf,” Fleck said. “The parents of Eric Steger each attended Ball State University and his father was a two time All-American on the golf team. Eric is another kid who we are looking at to have an immediate impact this year.”
Skillman also has a strong tie to Ball State golf, he is the younger brother of recent graduate Andy Skillman.
“Eric was a great addition to our golf team. He knows the work ethic and what it takes to compete at this level. We know what type of person we are getting from a family and work ethic stand point.”
Novak has a unique tie to the Ball State golf team. “Novak's swing instructor -- Matt Blair -- was part of the Ball State golf team when I played,” Fleck said. “Matt has done a great job communicating to Anthony what our golf program is all about and what our expectations are.
“My goal for all three of freshman is to come in and experience success in the fall season, whether it is at the tournament level or just getting experience at the collegiate level.”
With so much youth on the team, Fleck is looking toward his talented junior class to emerge as leaders on and off the course.
“From an experience standpoint, Brian Maurer is definitely our leader on the course in terms of what he's done and what he has earned over the last two years,” Fleck said. “From a standpoint of giving the team a sense of direction, I'm looking toward the entire junior class. Brian, Ben Lakoff, Matt Schumaker and Chris Hanson have been with the program for over two years, and now with the addition of Andrew Rhodes, we really have five guys who have been around the block.
“These kids know what the expectations are for our program and more importantly they know what they need to do on a day-to-day basis to meet those goals and expectations.”
With youth and talent abundant on the team, Fleck is confident his team has a legitimate shot at winning the MAC this year.
“Our goal is try to win a tournament or two this fall and I think if the players continue to build on the success they had this summer and continue to push each other, I feel we have a legit chance of reaching our competitive goals in the spring.”
The Cardinals will look to build off of a fourth place finish at the 2007 MAC Championship.
“I think what we took away from our strong finish last year, is this is a process, and our goal is to play our best golf at the end of the year when the MAC Championship is on the line,” Fleck said. “Our goal is to learn and improve on a week-to-week basis now and through the spring and be prepared for the MAC Championship.”
The 2007-2008 season sees Ball State again host the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational, a trip to the famed “Music City USA” Nashville, Tenn., a return to the historic Pinehurst Golf Club and of course the MAC Championship in May.
The Cardinals will play internationally for the first time in collegiate competition for a spring trip to the North Texas Classic played at El Tigre Resort in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.
For this group of young golfers, experience is everything.
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