2008-2009 MCC Finish: 5th out of 9
Letterwinners returning/lost: 7/5

Notable returners:
Sebastian Stobart       So.        Ndola, Zambia
(78.1 avg., low of 72)
Seth Vernon                 Jr.         Knoxville
(82.4 avg., low of 72 twice)
Ian Minder                  So.         Muscatine
(84.5 avg., low of 77 twice)

Notable losses:
Gavin Miles
(76.2 avg., low of 69 twice)

Notable newcomers:
Mattias Carlsson        Fr.       Uddevalla, Sweden
Geoff Dammann         Fr.       Wyoming (Iowa)
Adriaan de Villiers      Fr.       Akasia, South Africa
Brent Lurie                 Fr.       Johannesburg, South Africa

A talented recruiting class will combine with several qualified returners for the makings of a conference-contending men's golf team at William Penn in 2009-2010.

The Statesmen placed fifth at the 2009 Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships, but co-coaches Wade Steinlage and Buster Albertson have added loads of new and international talent to hopefully produce a winner this fall.

Despite losing last year's scoring leader, Penn returns seven individuals who gained invaluable experience in a varsity competition last season. Leading that crew is Sebastian Stobart (So., Ndola, Zambia, Simbia International School), who owned a scoring average of 78.1 in the spring.

"Seb did not play as well as he would have liked last spring, so I know he has worked very hard over the summer to improve and I am confident he will do just that," Steinlage said.

Seth Vernon (Jr., Knoxville, Knoxville HS), Ian Minder (So., Muscatine, Muscatine HS), Lucas Troyer (Sr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS), Cameron Armitage (Jr., Delta, B.C., North Delta HS), Cory Sheeley (Jr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS), and Austin Stevens (Jr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) headline a long list of other returners who plan to fight for a varsity slot.

Statistically, Vernon is the head of the class with seven rounds in the 70s in 2008-2009, while Minder came on strong at the end of the season with back-to-back scores in the 70s at the league championships. Troyer is the lone four-year player on the squad and his leadership will be necessary with the laundry list of newcomers entering the program.

"Seth really improved last year and I think with some more commitment, he can really be a strong player this year," Steinlage said. "Ian finished his freshman year well and hopefully he will be able to add to that. Lucas, Cam, Cory, and Austin have all proven throughout their careers at Penn that they can play at this level, but consistency has been their issue. If they continue to work, they will also find themselves in a position to win a varsity spot."

Fellow returners Caleb Herman (So., Crawfordsville, WACO HS), Tony Keller (Fr., Union, BCLUW HS), Eric Slings (Jr., Oskaloosa, English Valleys HS), and Adam Stevens (Sr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) also look to add depth.

"These four guys are all terrific individuals to have on the team and will push our top guys," Steinlage said. "There is no reason, however, that they could not also compete on varsity this year if they work hard."

As aforementioned, this year's recruiting class has a very distinctive international feel as South Africans Adriaan de Villiers (Fr., Akasia, South Africa, Akasia HS) and Brent Lurie (Fr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Beaulieu College) and Swede Mattias Carlsson (Fr., Uddevalla, Sweden, Agnebergskolan HS) top the new class. The trio has a plethora of junior experience that will benefit them once competition begins this fall.

"I cannot explain my enthusiasm about having added Adriaan, Brent, and Mattias," Steinlage said. "On paper, all three of these young men have a chance to do some very special things here at Penn. Expectations are high for these three and I believe they will all work hard to live up to those expectations."

Geoff Dammann (Fr., Wyoming, Midland HS), a two-time state tournament qualifier, Zach Wesselmann (Jr., Van Meter, Van Meter HS), and junior college transfers Travis Iverson (Jr., Othello, Wash., Royal HS) and Will Poterek (Jr., Lee, Ill., Indian Creek HS), both of whom will be two-sport athletes at Penn (also playing basketball), are recruits that Steinlage believes will also make immediate impacts.

"Geoff is not the biggest kid, but he makes up for it by playing well in all areas of the game," Steinlage said. "Travis and Will have actually not played competitively for a few years, but I think they will adjust quickly."

Tyson Bowen (Fr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Skyline HS), Chase Estabrook (Fr., Pella, Pella HS), and Skyler Hopf (Fr., Knoxville, Knoxville HS) will push the team as they conclude redshirt seasons this fall.

"Our group of redshirts are very talented as well and will make a difference in the future," Steinlage said.

Schedule/Conference

The Statesmen will open their fall slate on September 8 at Otter Creek Golf Course for the Grand View Viking Invitational, the site of the NAIA national-qualifying MCC Championships next spring. Penn also hosts its own tournament on October 12-13 at Oskaloosa Golf Course in Oskaloosa.

Until the Fighting Bees are dethroned, Steinlage says six-time defending league champion St. Ambrose is still the team to beat in the MCC, but admits Grand View and Viterbo have significantly closed the gap recently. Steinlage sees his team as the MCC's darkhorse, but with so much dependent on players he has never seen play a single round, it is difficult for him to say the Statesmen "should" be a contender.

"St. Ambrose is always the team to beat, but Grand View, to name one team, has made up a lot of ground and could very possibly pass St. Ambrose this year," Steinlage said. "I do believe that we have the right makeup to push for the conference title."

"This is undoubtedly the best team that we have assembled since I have been here," Steinlage added. "Our goal has been to improve each year and we continue to do that and are now to the point where I really think we can compete with the top teams in the league. It will take a lot of hard work and dedication, but I believe this team is up to the challenge."