The 2005 edition of the Mississippi State men’s golf team will feature some familiar faces from last year’s squad.
Although the Bulldogs lost six seniors from last year, they will count on six returning players with tournament experience along with four newcomers to carry them through the 2005-2006 season.
Junior Josh Oller comes into the season with the best returning stroke average from last year. The Brandon native played in every tournament last season for the Bulldogs, with his top finish coming at the Homewood Suites Invitational.
Oller shot a three-round total of 214 to finish in a tie for fifth place. Oller participated in the Mississippi State Amateur Tournament earlier this summer, finishing fourth at the event played in Hattiesburg.
Junior Greg Huxman returns after a solid season last year. The Miami, Fla., native played in seven tournaments last season, finishing in a tie for 17th at the University Club Intercollegiate to highlight his sophomore year.
Also returning for his junior campaign is Jake Lambert. The Jackson native returns for his third season with the Bulldogs and will factor into the Bulldog’s lineup this fall.
Lambert comes off of a spring 2005 campaign highlighted by a Top 20 finish at the UCF/Rio Pinar Intercollegiate. Lambert also participated in four other events during the spring season.
Sophomore Michael Knight looks to contribute this year after playing in four tournaments last season. Knight’s best finish last season came at the Homewood Suites Invitational when he tied for 29th, shooting six-over-par.
Playing his final season with the Bulldogs will be Jared Jimenez. The Allen, Texas, native played in three tournaments last season, highlighted by a low round of 72 at the University Club Invitational. Sophomore Logan Young will also look to contribute in the upcoming fall tournaments.
Head coach Clay Homan also anticipates the first year of play from four newcomers. Oak Grove High School standout Matt Fast could find himself in the mix early in his freshman year. The Hattiesburg native finished second behind Homan in the Mississippi Amateur hosted this summer.
Noah Goldman will also look to impact the lineup as he travels to Starkville from Longwood, Fla. Goldman is a two-time honorable mention member of the American Junior Golf Association’s Polo all-American team in 2003 and 2004.
Bryan Mason of Dallas, Texas, and Carlos Sianz of Elgin, Ill., round out the new class for the Bulldogs.
State begins the fall season at the Tennessee Tournament of Champions in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 12-13. The Maroon and White then travel home to host Mississippi for a duel match that will be held at Old Waverly Country Club on Sept. 23. State concludes their fall tournament schedule with four tournaments in October.
The spring season for the Bulldogs contains at least six tournaments highlighted by the Billy Hitchcock Intercollegiate in Auburn, Ala., and the Southeastern Conference Championship held in St. Simons, Ga., in April.