Men's College Golf: St. Edward's University: Season Preview
2016–2017 season preview
men's GOLF 2016–2017 MEN’S GOLF PREVIEW
SCHEDULE
In the 2015–2016 season, St. Edward’s University men’s golf extended its postseason run to 13-straight appearances in the NCAA Regional Tournament. It is a mark that continues as the longest current streak of any Hilltopper Athletics program. However, head coach Todd Ohlmeyer feels like even more can be done in the 2016–2017 season.
The 2016–2017 slate appears similar to the 2015–2016 schedule, but it presents a number of opportunities for pitfall or improvement. Ohlmeyer and his squad will open the fall in Amarillo, Texas, at the Ryan Palmer Invitational, hosted by West Texas A&M, before traveling to New Haven, Connecticut, for the Macdonald Cup, hosted by Yale. The early-season competition will be rounded out by tournaments at Midwestern State and the prestigious Golfweek Magazine Invitational, which will be hosted at Horseshoe Bay.
“We had high expectations last year, and with everyone coming back, we have those same expectations,” said Ohlmeyer. “We had a number of solid individual performances but lacked the team finish that we wanted. This group is anxious to get back on the course and chase the same goals we had last year.” All six members of the 2015–2016 squad are returning for another season. While this puts St. Edward’s in a great position to continue its historic run, Coach Ohlmeyer notes that it will be tougher than ever to return to the NCAA Tournament. “Each year, our region gets a little stronger,” said Ohlmeyer. “It is becoming more and more difficult to keep the streak alive. All we can focus on is controlling what is within our power. If we play to our ability and limit our mistakes on the course, we will be successful.”
TEAM A number of familiar faces will be seen in the Hilltopper lineup in 2016–2017. Eliott Azoulay and Jay Hogan return as the top golfers at St. Edward’s, both averaging a 74.6 scoring average in 2015–2016. Joey Hearn brings back a 75.1 average while Andrew Spear, Dillon Van Essen and Thomas Holtzman will all compete for spots in the lineup. The lone newcomer to the roster is Brandon McKelvey, who comes to the hilltop from Southlake Carroll. He was part of the 2015 Texas 6A State Championship team and will have a chance to compete right away. “Just like last year, our lineup will revolve around who is playing the best at the time of our events,” said Ohlmeyer. “However, if we are going to have the success we want, some student-athletes will need to separate themselves from the rest of the team.”
In the spring, a trip to Lakeland, Florida, opens a competitive run that features back-to-back events in San Antonio before the Hilltoppers’ annual home tournament at Onion Creek. The Dallas Baptist Invitational and Texas State Invite will serve as final tune-ups for the Heartland Conference Tournament. “Our schedule is pretty similar to what we have done in years past,” said Ohlmeyer. “When we travel to Connecticut, we will be the only NCAA Division II team. Our tournament in Lakeland, Florida, is also a return trip, an event hosted by Florida Southern. It always boasts one of the strongest fields of the year. We are excited that the Golfweek Invitational is coming to Texas and will be held on the site of the 2016 Heartland Conference Championship, Apple Rock Golf Club.”
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE While the St. Edward’s postseason streak has stayed alive, its dominance in the conference has been consistently challenged for the last few years, and this year will be no different. The Heartland Conference continues to grow in size and in quality, and each year presents new challenges on the way to a potential postseason bid. “The addition of Oklahoma Christian, Lubbock Christian and Rogers State, combined with the resurgence of Dallas Baptist and St. Mary’s, has made our conference one of the strongest in the NCAA West/South Regional,” said Ohlmeyer. “Dallas Baptist will have a younger team, but St. Mary’s and Oklahoma Christian, like us, return most of their players. Oklahoma Christian loses a big piece with Sam Johnston graduating, but I expect them to remain strong.”
FINAL THOUGHTS “This is a very close group who gives everything they have for every shot and every hole,” said Ohlmeyer. “I think our strength this year will be the fact that, while our roster is small, only seven, everyone knows that their spot could be taken by one of their other teammates.”
Learn more about Hilltopper men's golf at:
GoHilltoppers.com
men's GOLF 2016–2017 MEN’S GOLF PREVIEW
SCHEDULE
In the 2015–2016 season, St. Edward’s University men’s golf extended its postseason run to 13-straight appearances in the NCAA Regional Tournament. It is a mark that continues as the longest current streak of any Hilltopper Athletics program. However, head coach Todd Ohlmeyer feels like even more can be done in the 2016–2017 season.
The 2016–2017 slate appears similar to the 2015–2016 schedule, but it presents a number of opportunities for pitfall or improvement. Ohlmeyer and his squad will open the fall in Amarillo, Texas, at the Ryan Palmer Invitational, hosted by West Texas A&M, before traveling to New Haven, Connecticut, for the Macdonald Cup, hosted by Yale. The early-season competition will be rounded out by tournaments at Midwestern State and the prestigious Golfweek Magazine Invitational, which will be hosted at Horseshoe Bay.
“We had high expectations last year, and with everyone coming back, we have those same expectations,” said Ohlmeyer. “We had a number of solid individual performances but lacked the team finish that we wanted. This group is anxious to get back on the course and chase the same goals we had last year.” All six members of the 2015–2016 squad are returning for another season. While this puts St. Edward’s in a great position to continue its historic run, Coach Ohlmeyer notes that it will be tougher than ever to return to the NCAA Tournament. “Each year, our region gets a little stronger,” said Ohlmeyer. “It is becoming more and more difficult to keep the streak alive. All we can focus on is controlling what is within our power. If we play to our ability and limit our mistakes on the course, we will be successful.”
TEAM A number of familiar faces will be seen in the Hilltopper lineup in 2016–2017. Eliott Azoulay and Jay Hogan return as the top golfers at St. Edward’s, both averaging a 74.6 scoring average in 2015–2016. Joey Hearn brings back a 75.1 average while Andrew Spear, Dillon Van Essen and Thomas Holtzman will all compete for spots in the lineup. The lone newcomer to the roster is Brandon McKelvey, who comes to the hilltop from Southlake Carroll. He was part of the 2015 Texas 6A State Championship team and will have a chance to compete right away. “Just like last year, our lineup will revolve around who is playing the best at the time of our events,” said Ohlmeyer. “However, if we are going to have the success we want, some student-athletes will need to separate themselves from the rest of the team.”
In the spring, a trip to Lakeland, Florida, opens a competitive run that features back-to-back events in San Antonio before the Hilltoppers’ annual home tournament at Onion Creek. The Dallas Baptist Invitational and Texas State Invite will serve as final tune-ups for the Heartland Conference Tournament. “Our schedule is pretty similar to what we have done in years past,” said Ohlmeyer. “When we travel to Connecticut, we will be the only NCAA Division II team. Our tournament in Lakeland, Florida, is also a return trip, an event hosted by Florida Southern. It always boasts one of the strongest fields of the year. We are excited that the Golfweek Invitational is coming to Texas and will be held on the site of the 2016 Heartland Conference Championship, Apple Rock Golf Club.”
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE While the St. Edward’s postseason streak has stayed alive, its dominance in the conference has been consistently challenged for the last few years, and this year will be no different. The Heartland Conference continues to grow in size and in quality, and each year presents new challenges on the way to a potential postseason bid. “The addition of Oklahoma Christian, Lubbock Christian and Rogers State, combined with the resurgence of Dallas Baptist and St. Mary’s, has made our conference one of the strongest in the NCAA West/South Regional,” said Ohlmeyer. “Dallas Baptist will have a younger team, but St. Mary’s and Oklahoma Christian, like us, return most of their players. Oklahoma Christian loses a big piece with Sam Johnston graduating, but I expect them to remain strong.”
FINAL THOUGHTS “This is a very close group who gives everything they have for every shot and every hole,” said Ohlmeyer. “I think our strength this year will be the fact that, while our roster is small, only seven, everyone knows that their spot could be taken by one of their other teammates.”
Learn more about Hilltopper men's golf at:
GoHilltoppers.com
