MVNU compiled a 70-35 overall record in 10 tournaments throughout the 2007-2008 season and finished fourth out of 10 teams in the American Mideast Conference/NAIA Region IX Tournament. However, four of the top six players from a year ago wrapped up their playing careers and three new players have joined the team.

“This will be the first time that I do not really know how we will stack up in the conference,” said MVNU coach Mark Stiverson, who is entering his fourth season guiding the Cougars. “In prior years, our team consisted of many returning players who had plenty of tournament experience and history. Other than our two seniors, the rest of the young squad has little or no tournament experience. Practice rounds and what one shoots in the summer is completely different than playing in a tournament on a course you may never have played and maybe in a little cooler temperatures. All of that adds up to me saying that we will see what happens.”

Seniors Jared Schlabach and Tyler Tinch will look to wrap up their careers in successful fashion as they lead the team into the next season as the only two players with much tournament experience at the college level. Schlabach averaged a 79.2 last year, while Tinch posted a 78.0 average.

Sophomores Alex Carroll (80.1), Jay Ruffner (82.1), and Cory Palmer (82.2) each return with a year of college golf experience under their belts. Meanwhile, sophomore Jim Nichols and freshmen Mitch Justice and Adam Nichols will be joining the team for the first time.

“On paper, we have a good, fairly young team,” said Stiverson. “They all know what is expected of them, especially since we just went through a grueling week of qualifiers. Regardless, this will be a fun and exciting year. I am sure the conference teams have low expectations of us. There are many hard workers on the team, though, and I hope they will reap and see some benefits early on and surprise everyone.”

The fall season will consist of the Ohio Dominican/Otterbein Invitational, the Malone College Invitational on September 19-20 and the Bethel (Ind.) College Invitational on September 26-27. If the Cougars shoot a low enough qualifying score, the team could also take part in the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament on October 13-14 at The Hombre Golf Course in Panama City Beach, Florida.