May 27, 1999
Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri Men's Golf Coach TIM ROBYN announced the winners of team awards for the recently completed 1998-99 season. It is the first time the golf team has given awards to individuals.
The Most Valuable Player award went to DAVID SUGGS, a junior from St. Charles, Mo. Suggs enjoyed his finest season as a Tiger, and just last week finished tied for 5th at the NCAA Central Regional. His three-round total of 216 left him just one stroke shy of advancing to the NCAA Championships. He would have been the first Tiger to play in the championships since John Utley finished 23rd in 1990. Suggs led Missouri with a 74.34 stroke average for the season, more than two-and-a-half strokes better than his career average of 76.99 entering the season. Suggs notched eight top-20 finishes on the season, including four top-10 efforts.
"David had a fantastic year, and I'm very pleased for him," said MU Coach Tim Robyn. "He's a great leader for this team on the course with his scores and off the course with his commitment to becoming a better player. His work ethic inspires others on the team to improve," he said.
The team Newcomer-of-the-Year went to MARK McBRIDE, a freshman from Lebanon, Mo. McBride led all Tiger freshmen this season with a 76.31 stroke average, and notched two top-25 finishes. He played in 12 of MU's 13 tournaments on the season, and had a best finish of 5th, at the SMS Invitational in the fall. He shot a season-best round of 70 in the second round of the Falcon Invitational in the fall.
"Mark showed maturity beyond his years," said Robyn. "He's another individual who leads by example and others follow that lead. He was a big contributor both on and off the course, and I'm looking forward to coaching Mark for three more years," he said.
Rounding out the first-ever team awards recipients was ETHAN ROST, a senior from Jefferson City, Mo., who earned the Rich Poe Award, which is given to the player who best represents commitment and service to the golf team, the University and the community both on and off the course. The award is named after the former standout golfer and longtime coach of the Tigers, Rich Poe, who retired from coaching in 1998. Rost wrapped up his Tiger career with a 78.10 stroke average for the 1998-99 season, playing in seven tournaments. He recently earned his undergraduate degree in finance.
"It's been my good fortune to coach Ethan," said Robyn. "He's done everything I've ever asked, and more. He's been a pleasure to be around, and he'll be very successful in whatever he chooses to undertake," he said.