Mitch Crook headed to nationals after golf finale

Through all the ups and downs of the season, the Cyclone golf team can boast of winning their home tournament and qualifying one player for nationals in the end.

The talented Cyclones added to a tight race for the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship, boosted by a first place take at their home match on Sept. 6. They battled with some second and third place finishes throughout September, but ultimately landed in third overall. Despite not winning conference, four Cyclones (more than any other college) earned All-Conference honors: Sophomores Nick Regan (Lincoln-Way East) and Reid Rimsnider (Lockport) and freshmen James Goich (Lincoln-Way East) and Michael Stanton (Brother Rice).

Rain and wind battered players during the NJCAA Region IV tournament (Oct. 5-7), making it more of a mental game for everyone. The Cyclones struggled, except for Mitch Crook (Richards). He played some of his best rounds of golf, ever, and was the last qualifier for nationals by one stroke, taking 11th place.

“Ever since Mitch started with us last year, he’s had so much potential, but he’s made poor decisions on the golf course. When it counted at regionals this year, he did what he needed to do. It’s more impressive that he shot 91 at a prior tournament, so to come back from that to qualify for nationals is super impressive,” said Coach Matt Lovelace.

Even in the pouring rain and against the wind, Crook was happy to be on the course doing what he loves.

“During the season I wasn’t doing as well as I wanted. I realized this could be the last time playing competitively, and so I had fun and enjoyed the moment. Playing in the rain made it better. There was no stopping being wet. I played my best round of golf ever at regions. I thought about what I did wrong on the course previously and how I could correct it to shoot the best score I possibly could,” Crook said. “My teammates helped encourage me. I also owe a lot of credit to my coach. I was the last person to make the cut, and I was very excited to hear that I get to keep golfing.”

The NJCAA Division II Golf Championship is scheduled in May 2018 in Alabama. Crook plans to build his endurance and golf whenever he can throughout the winter, even if it means putting a ball around the house.

This wasn’t the exact season that Lovelace hoped for his team, but that’s golf. “The mental part is the hardest thing about this sport. Overall it was a great season. Four guys got conference honors and Mitch is going to nationals. I was disappointed that we fell short from winning conference. I learned a few things I’ll do differently and new strategies for next year,” Lovelace said. “We have a few guys coming back, and if we get a couple more quality guys, it’ll be anyone’s ball game in conference and regions.”