The Colorado Mesa University men’s golf will tee off at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, where Adams State College is hosting the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) tournament of the season in Alamosa.
The Mavericks are coming off their best season in school history. They placed 17th last year in the NCAA Division West/Central Super Regional. It was the first time the team has qualified for NCAA postseason tournament.
“We want to go back to the Super Regionals,” coach Paul Brown said. “If we do that, there should be no reason why we couldn’t make it to Nationals.”
The men’s golf team was also picked to finish sixth in the RMAC preseason coaches poll.
Brown has five players from last year’s team returning, including Brandon Bingaman, who was solid all of last season and finished 38th in a field of 108 golfers in the Super Regional tournament .
“Brandon has the ability to finish in the top five in every tournament. He has outstanding potential,” Brown said.
The CMU women’s golf team will begin the 2011 fall season at the Colorado Christian Invitational Sept. 12-13. In the RMAC preseason coach’s poll they were picked to finish second and received a couple of first place votes.
Third-year coach Scott Hansen is returning to a veteran team with four seniors and two juniors. The Mavs are also welcoming two freshman.
“With the same core group of players from the last few years, the expectations are high,” Hansen said. “Our goal is to win the RMAC, qualify for the Regionals and Nationals. This is the year we should really make a run at it.”
After winning three tournaments last season and taking 17th overall in the NCAA Central Region Tournament, Jennifer Hilts was named the preseason RMAC Women’s Golfer of the Year. Jessica Berve and Hilts were also named to the preseason RMAC All-Conference team.
“It is an honor to be named preseason golfer of the year because it shows that the conference recognizes my ability as a golfer and how well I perform in tournaments,” Hilts said. “My family and friends are proud of me and know how much golf means to me and all of the time and practice I put in.”
Hilts thinks expectations for the team are high because of the returning players along with a few promising freshman who have been playing well.
“I think Mesa will be a strong threat for many years to come,” Hilts said.
afix@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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