After a series of high scoring matches last season, the Coastal Carolina University (CCU) men’s golf team is ready to take on the competition with a blend of returners and newcomers.
The team has their eyes set on the championship this season, with the team focused on sharpening their skills and driving the team to new goals.
Jacob Wilner, CCU alumnus is entering his second year as the head coach of the golf team. Prior to his career at CCU, Wilner coached the University of Nevada Men’s Golf team for 14 years, but ultimately decided to return to his roots in Conway.
“The changes were 3,000 miles of change, but ultimately, my wife and I wanted to be back in Conway, South Carolina, and this felt like home for me and my wife,” Wilner said.
He said the team is off to a great start this season as the returners are stepping it up and the new players are producing. His goal for the upcoming season is for the players to focus on getting better every day. He admires the work ethic and confidence that the players have shown at the start of the season.
Senior Trace McDonald has high hopes for the season, eager to see how much the team improves from the first day of practice to the end of the season.
“We have a younger team than we have had for the last couple years. The standard is a little higher than it has been in the past,” McDonald said.
McDonald’s goal for the team this year is to get over the hump in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) Championship. They have come in fifth place twice in this championship and want to overcome the challenge and win it this year.
Senior Trey Crenshaw is excited for the season and hopes that the team to be one of the best in the Sun Belt and the country going forward.
“So far this year has been really good, and probably the best team I have been a part of. I have yet to make a Regional, but I am confident in our team,” he said. “We have been working really hard and I think we are going to peak at the right time.”
Crenshaw hopes to develop his leadership, limit the bogey and decrease the mistakes he has made in previous tournaments.
The Chanticleers had their next match in Estero, Florida, at the West Bay Collegiate Invitational on Oct. 6.
