After posting a 34-54-1 record last year and a 5-21 mark this past fall, MVNU is hoping that all the hard work that the team put in during the winter months as well as a week in Brooksville, Florida, at the World Woods Golf Center to fine-tune their game will pay off when the first spring tournament rolls around.

"The general consensus of our fall performance was that we fell short of our goals,” said MVNU coach Mark Stiverson, who is in his fifth season at his alma mater. "I believe this has inspired extra effort in the off-season from several players to raise their game. Unfortunately for us Midwesterners, the record snowfall has had an unfavorable impact on our practice time. But, we can’t afford to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to take advantage of the things that we do have and one big opportunity is our spring break trip. We have always had great weather on our trip, so a tremendous emphasis will be placed on that time for practice and qualifiers.”

"The spring will open up challenges within the team for tournament spots,” Stiverson continued. "The five spots are not set yet. We have had some movement with players and are still nursing a couple of injuries. However, our talent level has really not diminished. Execution and playing to each player’s capability has been our nemesis.”

"Spring golf in Ohio is, well, let’s just say you have to be prepared mentally to fight the elements,” Stiverson added. "It will be rare to have a two-day, sunny tournament in the 60’s even though we play seven tournaments. So, one has to believe in their talent, factor the element impact, and execute what they have practiced. You almost have to embrace the bad conditions to be successful.”

The Cougars will be led by a trio of juniors in Jay Ruffner, Cory Palmer, and Jim Nichols. Ruffner has been a starter the past two years and earned a spot on the American Mideast Conference Team last spring. Meanwhile, Palmer has some tournament experience and Nichols is in his first full year on the team.

"Jay has really been able to step up his game in all aspects both mentally and physically,” said Stiverson. "I look for him to be a leader for us both on and off the course. I expect Cory to turn his play up a notch or two this spring, and Jim has been working very hard on his game and will probably be a very pleasant surprise.”

Sophomores Mitch Justice, Adam Nichols, Jon Weaver, and Brandon Wengerd will also be counted on to contribute to the team’s success. "Our sophomores have loads of potential and will need to perform accordingly for us to be successful,” said Stiverson. "This is not only in tournament play, but as team players as well. Often times in the make-up of great teams, you have players who push each other to higher levels as they challenge each other for tournament spots.”

Freshmen Matt Crouch and Brad Meinert will also both be strongly in the mix to earn spots in the top five after solid fall performances. "Matt and Brad have been very good additions to our team,” said Stiverson. "These guys contributed greatly in our fall schedule. Obviously, that is not taking away from anyone else who played in the fall, but to have an impact your freshman year is tremendous. Matt has been one of the hardest-working freshmen I have been around and it shows. Both of these guys have very high expectations for the spring.”

MVNU will get its spring season under way on March 25-26 at the Southeastern Kentucky Intercollegiate Invitational. The Cougars will also play in the Heidelberg College Collegiate Classic on April 1-2, host their own MVNU Invitational on April 5-6, play at the Capital University Invitational on April 9-10, take part in the Malone University Invitational on April 16-17, and close out the regular season on April 19-20 at the Cedarville University Invitational.

The team will also play for the AMC title on April 29-30 in the AMC Tournament at Apple Valley Golf Course with the winner receiving an automatic berth into the NAIA National Championship to be held May 18-21 in Silvis, Ill.

"If we are going to be successful this spring, we cannot afford to just go through the motions,” said Stiverson. "We also must think and act as a team. Collegiate golf, while highly individualized, is very much a team sport. I believe that we’ll have one or two players reach a higher personal level and be able to consistently perform there. Several of these guys are working very hard and I look forward to seeing their reward this spring.”