MEN’S GOLF SEASON PREVIEW: Yellow Jackets swing into new era on Friday
DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College men's golf enters the 2024-25 season under new leadership and in a new landscape of competition as the program tees off on Friday for the program's first NAIA competition.
Despite all the changes, a familiar face is guiding the team through the transition in new head coach Matt Gehring. Gehring is a 2012 DC alum and was an assistant coach for the Yellow Jackets after graduation. He returned a little more than a year ago to serve as the athletic department's head of compliance while coordinating the athletic venues and spearheading Athletic's internship program. His past coaching experience at Earlham also involved rebuilding the Quakers' golf programs into quick contenders.
Season Outlook
Last season saw the Yellow Jackets close the year in ninth place at the conference championship but saw improvement as each the fall and spring seasons progressed. "The program is in a rebuilding phase right now," says Coach Gehring. "I firmly believe that there are some strong pieces that we can build around, but it will take intentionality, structure, and accountability from everyone to achieve what we are capable of achieving."
About the Team
Defiance returns four of six total golfers from a year ago, including Bretton Basford and Sam Boyles entering their sophomore seasons. Basford was the team's top golfer from a last year and averaged 91 per 18 holes and had a team-high 12 rounds under 90. Boyles matched Basford with the team's lowest round of the year with an 81. The group of returners also includes seniors Brendan Garvin and Zach Canterbury. Garvin carried a 92 average last year and sits right at 90 for his career through 28 rounds.
As for the newcomers, the Yellow Jackets have doubled in numbers with five new athletes from around North America. Incoming freshmen Alex Moritz and Noah Leslie were teammates in Missouri who finished as the team state runner-up during their time at Willow Springs. Zack Palmer from Ashtabula, Ohio was decorated as conference player of the year in high school as well. Jordan Walford also joins the program from Thunder Bay, Ontario after a strong prep career in Canada. The final new face is Brodee McMahan who will be a dual-sport athlete and get critical mentorship from Canterbury on how to balance both sports. "This class, in addition to our returners, are going to really help us turn the tide within the golf program and establish a culture of winning championships for years to come," says Gehring.
Conference Outlook
Lawrence Tech is the reigning WHAC Men's Golf champion and have claimed the title in 3 of the last 4 years. Dating back to the 2017 season, no team outside UNOH and Lawrence Tech have hoisted the title. The WHAC Conference tournament will be held at the end of the spring season but Yellow Jackets will have a chance to see where they measure up to the field at the Fall Preview at the end of September.
Coach Gehring wants to see the Yellow Jackets compete and develop. The ultimate goal is to win the conference but creating a culture of competition the first step in that direction. "If we can compete every day, the sky's the limit on what they will be able to accomplish!" says Gehring.
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