Hole in one

After a successful 2015-16 season, the Liberty men’s golf team entered this season looking to win another Big South Golf Championship and go beyond their ninth place finish in last year’s NCAA Regionals.

“Last year, we started four sophomores and a freshman, so we returned all of our starters,” Liberty Men’s Golf Head Coach Jeff Thomas said. “Anytime you do that, hopefully you’ll be better the next year.”

In order for the Flames to improve from a year ago, juniors Mickey DeMorat and Isaiah Logue will have to match their consistent production that was instrumental in the success for the team.

Logue ranked fourth in the Big South and led the team with a 72.62 season stroke average, landing him a spot on the All-Big South team for the second year in a row.

“I spent all summer working on every aspect of my game,” Logue said.

“I always feel that you can improve, whether that’s practice with your clubs or just the mental side … to get myself back into playing condition for this season.”

DeMorat earned a spot on the All-Big South team swinging a 72.92 season stroke average just behind Logue and led the team during the spring with a 72.48 stroke average.

With last season’s accomplishments in the rear view, DeMorat went into summer focusing on improving his short game and putting.

“Mickey’s had a great summer,” Thomas said. “He’s a solid player, and he will continue to get better.”

To add to the excitement of the upcoming season, Thomas was able to bring in a couple new, young talents to boost the team’s roster.

According to Thomas, Erving Chang and Kieran Vincent are the type of freshmen that will see some starts this season.

“I was worried about fitting in with this new team, but they have accepted me as family with opened arms,” Vincent said. “I don’t have any more fears—just go out there, play my game and just play golf.”

Chang’s coaches and teammates had plenty to say about his personable character, strong play and love for verbal communication.

Vincent gave an abstract comparison when questioned about whether Chang talks a lot.

“To that question, let me ask, does a homeless man want a ham sandwich?” Vincent asked. “Usually when we’re around Erving, we’re laughing pretty hard. Everybody loves having him around.”

Former four-year player Andrew Nelson found his way back to Liberty this offseason to become the new assistant coach for the Flames.

Thomas brought in Nelson because he knows team expectations, and he wants him to develop personal relationships with the team.

“There’s a mental side to the golf game, as far as the swing and technique is concerned,” Nelson said. “Jeff’s awesome at that. I’m more of the game-management side.”

Nelson wants to use his playing career as a guide to help form bonds to reach the players on a level besides golf alone.

“I’m here to serve, lead and coach these guys,” Nelson said.

The Flames hope to start hot with the push of last season’s success and a deeper team than Thomas has had in recent years.

“You want to make sure everyone is staying motivated and that everyone understands what we’re trying to do,” Thomas said.

The Flames travel to River Hills, Wisconsin for the Marquette Invitational hosted by Marquette University Oct. 2 at the Milwaukee Country Club.

Collier is a sports reporter.