MVNU, which posted a 65-47-4 overall record last season, has a roster with a nice mix of experienced returning players and talented newcomers that should prove to make competing for the five tournament spots a fierce battle.

"You are not sure what you have until you see some actual results,” said MVNU head coach Mark Stiverson, who returns for his third season leading the team. "Our week-long qualifier was both a test and a challenge. It also revealed where we may be headed in tournament play. The results of the qualifier proved that the returning players had worked hard on their game during the summer and that the freshmen coming in were very talented.”

Seniors Tim Hepner, Preston Knight, and Anthony Savage will all look to close out stellar careers in fine fashion as they lead the team into the new season. Hepner averaged 76.9 strokes per round and earned a spot on the American Mideast Conference Team last year, Knight led the team with a 76.6 average, and Savage compiled a 77.4 average.

Juniors Tyler Tinch, Jared Schlabach, and Matt Kerns also return with another year of experience behind them. Tinch posted a 78.9 average last year, while Schlabach finished with an 81.6 average.

Freshmen Chris O’Hara, Jay Ruffner, Alex Carroll, and Cory Palmer all come to MVNU with outstanding golf resumes already to their credit. They will look to compete for a spot in the top five as each tournament rolls around.

"This is by far the best team I have had the privilege of coaching,” said Stiverson. "We have very talented players from the #1 man all the way to the 10th player. Each one will be challenging the spot above them for play. That has not been the case in prior years. This will only promote a competitiveness that should be very healthy and fun to watch.”

"The players are so talented that I had to change our schedule for the fall,” Stiverson added. "I need to foster the competitive spirit and to keep everyone hungry, so I have entered everyone into at least one tournament.”

The fall season for MVNU will consist of the two-day Cumberlands Invitational followed by the two-day Malone College Fall Invitational on September 14-15. While the "A” team is at the Malone event, the "B” team will travel to the Urbana University Fall Invitational on September 14. On October 8-9, the Cougars will head to Panama City, Florida, for the 2007 National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament. Then, the team will close out the fall on October 12-13 at the Powerade Fall Collegiate Classic in West Lafayette, Ohio.

"Our future seems to be pretty bright at this point,” said Stiverson. "It will always come down to execution, but the talent and tools are there. Last year, we were able to sniff victory. This year, I think we will taste it.”