Kent is heavy favorite at MAC championships

by Shane Sadler
THE POST

One Goliath and several possible Davids will make for an interesting and competitive Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Championship, which kicks off today at noon at the Medallion Club in Westerville, where it is being held for the second consecutive year.

Ohio is the host team this year, but Kent will be the heavy favorite, coming into the tournament ranked 22nd in the nation. The reigning MAC champions return with four of the five members from last year's squad. Ohio, Marshall, Miami, Eastern Michigan and Toledo could challenge the Golden Flashes if they can play at the top of their games.

Ohio Head Coach Bob Cooley said the Medallion Club is a tough golf course, but will allow for some good scores.

"Coaches and players really enjoy this course, because they know if they play well and hit good shots they will score well as a result," he said. "The course is also very punishing for those who hit bad shots, but there is a strong possibility for a lot of birdies."

Kent proved it is possible to score well at the Medallion Club last year. On their way to claiming the championship with relative ease, two Golden Flashes shot a course-record 65.

Ohio golfer Jeff Chadwell said there is little doubt that the Bobcats will improve on last season's ninth-place finish, but he and his teammates are looking for much more than that.

"I think the reason we want to play our best is because we have not done that all year," he said. "We have a very talented and solid team, which has not been able to play at its potential this spring; if we can come out and play our game we could surprise a lot of people."

Chadwell added that he and his teammates know Kent is a very strong team, but golf is a game that can get interesting if a team cannot take advantage of opportunities.

"What makes the game of golf so appealing is that anyone can have a bad day, and if a couple of those guys from Kent aren't playing well than it is likely they will get down mentally, and that will be the other teams' chance to take control," he said. "What it comes down to is we will have to play the best golf we have played all spring; anything else will not get us into serious contention."

Cooley said he agreed with Chadwell on the point that the Bobcats can contend for the title if the ball bounces their way.

"If Kent strokes that ball the way they have all spring, then I think the real contention will be for second place, but if for some reason they falter then it will be up to us to take advantage of the situation," he said. "This is about as competitive as I have seen the MAC, and I think it would be reasonable to say we could finish anywhere from first to seventh."

As the host team, Ohio is in charge of putting together the 16-page tournament program, which describes each team and its top players. The team also puts on the coat and tie banquet, which will take place tonight, and hands out gifts to each player and coach. The seniors are also acknowledged at the dinner. The final duty for the host is to provide the winning team trophy, the individual medalist award, and to present the All-Conference selections at an awards ceremony Saturday night.

The championships will consist of one 18-hole round played today, 36 holes tomorrow and a final 18-hole round Saturday.