After winning the conference championship and going to NCAA regionals last year, the DU men’s golf team is looking to continue its past success this season.
With first year head coach Erik Billington at the helm, DU most recently played at the Ram Masters Invitational in Fort Collins. The Pioneers had the lead with 11 holes to go, but ended up finishing third behind Colorado State University and the University of Kansas. Three out of the DU’s five players finished in the top 25 at the event, as well.
“It was a good start,” Billington said. “CSU just beat us at the end on their home course, but I feel really good about this team.”
The team, which features four freshmen, is a little bit younger than usual. Normally, there are only two or three freshmen, but Billington is not too worried about the youth of this year’s roster.
“All nine guys can play really well,” Billington said. “We have lots of good players, not just a couple.”
Only five members of the team can travel, but Billington expects the team’s depth to be their strength throughout the season. He is also expecting sophomore Petter Mikalsen to have a very strong year.
“He’s playing really good golf right now,” Billington said. “And we’re looking at him to play really well this year.”
Mikalsen, who is from Norway, was named to the All-Norwegian team in high school, and came in fifth place as an individual at the Ram Masters. He is one of five international players on the team. Senior Victor Doka and junior Arti Edelman are both from Switzerland, though both attended high school in Florida; freshman Johan Werge comes from Mexico, and Matt Codd, another freshman, is from Alberta, Canada.
Rounding out this year’s roster are junior Adam Ruben and freshmen Jake Kelley and Chris Korte, both of whom attended Regis Jesuit High School in Littleton.
“We usually do have a couple of international players who formed relationships with the national coaches and former players that are from Europe, so I think that’s why we have so many,” Billington said.
While the team is already looking strong, they are a little inexperienced. With so many freshmen on the team, the main goal is getting play at the collegiate level.
“It’s just self-belief and believing that we’re a great team,” Billington said.
It helps to be coming off of a conference championship, but having a fresh outlook can benefit the team even further.
“As a first year head coach, I think I bring excitement and a fresh style,” Billington said.
Billington, who graduated from DU in 2002, has been part of the DU golf program since 2012, recruiting and supporting both the women’s and men’s head coaches, most recently as the associate head coach for the women’s team. He took over this past summer after previous coach Eric Hoos resigned.
“I think the team is very motivated because of a fresh face,” Billington said.
The team’s next tournament is the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational in Erie on Sept. 29 and 30. The University of Colorado is hosting the event.
“I expect us to compete and be strong again just like we were in the last tournament,” Billington said. “It’s nice to play in the home state.”
