'CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM' GUIDES GOLF COACH, TEAM THROUGH FALL

by Mike Kissel

The UM-St. Louis golf team heads into the fall season with cautious optimism.

James Niederkorn, the golf team's head coach, has two incoming freshman that will play major roles in the outcome of this season's matches. The two new players are Andy Scwob, a St. Louis University High School graduate, and John Marecek, a Webster Groves High School graduate.

Coach Niederkorn is hoping they will be able to make the transition from high school golf to the college level.

"I'm cautiously optomistic about this year's season," he said. "The reason is that two of the players have never played college golf. It is my hope that the transition to this level will be made easier because both Andy and John come from good high school programs."

Brandon Ald and Nick Jacobs are the two returning players from last years squad. The team lost a key player, Mike Block, who went to California to pursue a career in the golf field. This will put added pressure on Brandon and Nick.

"I have very high hopes for Nick. He had a very good fall season last year, and we need the same type of production this year for the team to be successful," Niederkorn said.

Niederkorn has added an assistant coach to help out with the squad. Dustin Ashby, a former standout at UM-St. Louis, will be along side Niederkorn to assist the players during the fall season.

"We have four quality players," Niederkorn said. "I am a little apprehensive about the freshmen's transition into the college game. It is my hope that we will get beyond that and have another good season."