Men's Golf Just Days Away From 2018 Season
CLAREMONT, Calif. – The No. 12 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's golf team opens the 2018 season this Saturday when they take on the SCIAC at Olivas Golf Links in Ventura, Calif.
See below for a quick preview of the 2018 season:
A Look Back
Without a senior on last season's roster, the Stags had a successful 2017 run. CMS capped off their season with a 12th place finish at the NCAA National Championships. In addition to their strong finish in the National Tournament, The Stags claimed their 12th SCIAC Championship in program history and their third in the last four years.
The SCIAC Championship combines scores from the SCIAC Tournaments during the season as well as the conference championship. Across seven rounds, the Stags took 2063 strokes, including a score of 281 on the final day of the SCIAC Tournament to claim the title and earn a spot in the NCAA Championship. The Stags topped La Verne by 10 strokes and Jonathan Shaw (CMC) carded a 72 in the final round for a total of 216 (E) to earn a share of the individual title with Cal Lutheran's Nate Gray.
As mentioned, the Stags finished the NCAA Tournament in 12th place with a score of 1212 (+60). Alex Wrenn (CMC) led the Stags, tying for 30th place with a score of 300 (+12) across the four rounds.
Five Stags received All-SCIAC honors including Shaw and Matt Shuman (CMC) who also earned All-American nods.
On the Roster
As mentioned, the Stags did not lose any seniors from last year's roster and return four of five All-SCIAC selections with Shaw, Wrenn, Shuman and Johnny Brandt (CMC) poised for another strong season.
A three-time All-American selection, Shaw returns for his senior year with the Stags. In the Stags' first tournament of the fall, Shaw topped the leaderboard with a two-round total of 133 (-11). He also earned a first-place finish in a matchup with La Verne, firing a five-under 67. Shaw heads into the spring season ranked No. 5 in the nation.
Sophomore Austin Long (CMC) is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation after a successful fall. He was the top CMS finished at the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate with a tie for 14th. Long carded a 213 (-3) across the three rounds as the Stags finished tied for 10th. He finished just behind Shaw in the head-to-head tournament with La Verne, finishing tied for second after carding a 68 (-4).
In addition to their experienced core of returners, the Stags welcome a pair of freshmen to keep an eye on in Mason Chiu (CMC) and Ken Kong (CMC). Both Chiu and Kong have earned roster spots in the Stags' first spring tournament this weekend. In addition to the two fresh faces, Shuman, Shaw, Wrenn, and Long will round out the Stags' line-up when CMS faces the SCIAC at Olivas Golf Links this weekend.
What to Watch For
CMS begins their season on Saturday in the first SCIAC Tournament of the season. They will face their SCIAC foes again on Apr. 7-8 before squaring off in the Conference Championships Apr. 22-24 at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills, Calif.
On Mar. 13 the Stags will go toe-to-toe with Harvard at Red Hill Country Club in Ranch Cucamonga, Calif. This will be the third time the teams have faced each other. The all-time series is up for grabs as it is currently split 1-1.
The big trip for the Stags will be Mar. 16-18 when they travel to Georgia for the Jekyll Island Invitational to face some of the nation's top teams.
Leading the Charge
Bim Jollymour enters his 17th season at the helm of the CMS men's golf team. He led the Stags to their first NCAA Division III National Championship in 2016 and, at the end of that season, was awarded the Dave Williams Award as the National Coach of the Year. Last year, Jollymour led the Stags to the 2017 SCIAC Championship. He is assisted by Mitch Fedorka.
Around the SCIAC
Just a couple weeks ago, the SCIAC released their 2018 men's golf preseason poll and the Stags claimed the top spot. CMS earned all eight first-place votes and 64 total points.
2018 SCIAC Men's Golf Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
1. CMS (8) - 64 points
2. La Verne - 49 points
3. Redlands - 46 points
4. Cal Lutheran - 41 points
5. Chapman - 27 points
6. Occidental - 26 points
7. Pomona-Pitzer - 26 points
8. Whittier - 8 points