November 3, 1998
A brave, new world.
That moniker could go a long way towards describing the University of Missouri mens golf team for the upcoming 1998-99 season.
Many new faces, from the top down, will join forces to help lead the resurgence of the Tiger team.
Leading the charge is first-year head coach TIM ROBYN (ROE-buy-n), who takes over for longtime Tiger coach Richard Poe. Poe stepped down as head coach over the summer, after 21 years at the helm, turning over the program to his assistant Robyn, who was a two-time all-American player at Stanford, and won professionally on several different tours.
Robyn will have at his disposal a roster filled with a good mix of experienced veterans, as well as a highly-touted group of talented newcomers.
THE VETERANS
Despite losing the services of all-Big 12 golfer Colby Robertson, who opted to bypass his final two years of eligibility, the Tigers return a solid nucleus of experienced players to build around.
Leading the way is junior DAVID SUGGS, who was one of the Big 12 Conferences most-improved players last season. Suggs had a breakout season as a sophomore, finishing among the conferences top 20, with a spring stroke average of 75.92 -- nearly three strokes better than his freshman campaign.
Senior DOYLE MOFFITT is the most experienced player among Tiger returnees, with 34 collegiate tournaments under his belt. Moffitt tied for 15th at last years Big 12 Championships, and was third among Tigers in season stroke average (76.69). Moffitt is contemplating taking a redshirt this season, which would leave him with one year of eligibility remaining.
A third starter returning from last season is junior CAREY HEITMAN. Heitman played as MUs number four man a year ago. He improved his stroke average over two strokes per round as a sophomore, as he averaged 77.67 per round, playing in 11 tournaments.
A fourth member of last years Tiger lineup to return is sophomore BLAYNE ROSELY. Rosely saw action in 10 tournaments last season as a true freshman, and turned in a stroke average of 79.73.
Other returnees who have seen action in the past include junior ANDREW ESPE (78.33 average in three tournaments last year), senior ETHAN ROST (80.78 in three tournaments) and junior TOM VOGT (79.67 in one tourney). Sophomore BRENT BAYER also returns to the mix. He was a member of the squad last year who is looking for his first tournament experience.
THE NEWCOMERS
One of the most highly-touted recruiting classes in MU history, plus a transfer with a familiar name, have also stirred up quite a bit of excitement around the Tiger program.
Missouri got a newcomer and an experienced veteran all wrapped up in one this summer, when senior JAKE POE transferred to MU from the acclaimed Stanford program, where he played for three seasons. Poe is the son of former MU coach Rich Poe, and will be looked upon for leadership on and off the course.
Eight talented freshmen join the squad, and each one should challenge for playing time in 1998-99.
GRANT AKERS, from Richmond, Mo., is a five-time Missouri State Junior Amateur Champion.
Local favorite, BRAD DAUGHERTY, of Columbia, is a two-time all-state player from Rock Bridge High School. He won the Optimist International qualifying tournament over the summer in Columbia.
CORY EWERT, of Joplin, Mo., who attended the David Leadbetter Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is a Missouri State Amateur Champion, and has several top-ten finishes around the nation in junior events.
MARK McBRIDE, of Lebanon, Mo. is a three-time all-state golfer, and won the Pepsi Junior Masters in 1997.
JANSZEN RINGO, of Ironton, Mo. was a 1997 U.S. Amateur qualifier, and placed 14th at the 97 Missouri State Amateur Championships.
Springfield, Mo. native NEAL STAFFORD was the 1997 Missouri Class 4A state champion for Kickapoo High School. He was medalist at two events as a senior, and was also a winner on the Junior American Golf tour.
Two other freshmen who hope to contribute include CHRIS HAPP, of Winnetka, Ill., and BRYAN RUSIN, of Wheaton, Ill.
"Im excited about the opportunity to coach this team," said coach Robyn. "Everything is in place for this to be a good team, and to allow us to compete with the best. We had a good year of improvement last season, and with the talented kids coming in, everything is there for us to become one of the top teams in the region," Robyn said.
THE SCHEDULE
Missouri will look to improve on its 8th-place finish at the Big 12 Championships from a year ago. But, before they get there, the Tigers will face a schedule that is lined with some of the best collegiate tournaments in the nation.
The fall schedule is highlighted by the fourth annual Missouri Bluffs Intercollegiate tournament, to be held Oct. 11-12 at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club in St. Charles, Mo. The Bluffs is rapidly becoming known as one of the nations best fall tournaments, and yearly attracts many of the countrys top programs.
Also on the schedule for the fall season is a trip to Hawaii, as the Tigers will play in the Mauna-Kea Collegiate, in Kona, Hi.
The spring schedule will see MU travel to Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Classic, the Birkdale Collegiate in scenic Charlotte, N.C., as well as the Big 12 Championships, which is contested at Prairie Dunes Golf Club in Hutchinson, Kan. Prairie Dunes is one of the nations top 50 courses, according to Golf Digest.