Tee it up

By Marc Wallace
ROSCOMMON – The Kirtland Community College golf team is optimistic about its season this year because it’s made up of so many good individual players.

Torey Throop
Photo by Erick Simons

And, third-year golf coach Chris Zuiker is counting on a trio of returning players to lead the team.

“This season looks better than any previous season,” Zuiker said. “The team has four players capable of playing good golf, with others working on their games.”

Although there is no Tiger Woods on the team, KCC does have sophomore Torey Throop (Vestaburg) returning for the 2009 season after qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association regional tournament as an individual last season.

“Throop is the best athlete on the team,” Zuiker said. “He hits great, long and straight.”

Beyond Throop, the team can count on its first-ever team captain, Josh Stampfly, a sophomore from Grayling.

“Stampfly is the first captain ever at Kirtland because he is a great student, leads by example and has represented the school very well,” Zuiker said.

Like his coach, Stampfly is hoping for big improvement this season.

“This year is looking to be better than last for the team and me individually,” he said. “Hopefully, we can be more competitive than anything this year.”

Being competitive is far from where the team started during its first season in 2001. KCC athletic director Doug Ryckman said the first team was made up of players with no golf experience.

“The reason the golf team started was so Kirtland basketball could be eligible for Michigan Community College Athletic Association and NJCAA competition,” he said, explaining that for a college to be eligible for this competition, it has to have five teams ready to play.

Kirtland officials wanted to compete in basketball so three other teams were needed for the college to be eligible. Mens and womens cross country, and golf teams were created.

Josh Stampfly
Photo by Erick Simons

“The golf team started out with basketball players with no golf experience,” Ryckman said.

Since then, the golf team has made steady progress. But Zuiker wants to get even better and more competitive.

The team has had some individual success, but not as a whole. So far, former Firebird Mike Mieske has been the best golfer for Kirtland. In 2003, Mieske went all the way to the national tournament. That is what Throop, Stampfly and other members of the team are shooting for this season.

Other members of the team who are working hard to boost their swings and scores are: sophomore David Schumacher (West Branch), freshman Tim LeForce (West Branch), freshman Austin Martin (Mackinaw City), freshman Zach Matteson (West Branch) and freshman Cody Naha (West Branch).

The team hopes to play in 10 matches before the state tournament starts. While its first match was on April 3, the Firebird linksters will not complete their seasons until after classes end this semester. If golfers place in state and regional play, they will then go to the nationals in mid-May.

Practice for the golf team started back in February at the CRAF center in Roscommon. Getting out on the squad’s home course at Grayling Country Club with coach Zuiker by each golfer’s side has only helped them get better.

Zuiker, who is from Higgins Lake, is a graduate of Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in professional golf management and marketing.

“He was a great choice for us,” Ryckman said. “He is known for his teaching of golf.”

Zuiker has been teaching golf for 20 years and playing for 35. That after his dad taught him how to play. And while the coach is looking forward to the rest of this season, he is already looking forward to next season as well.

“I love working with the kids and the school,” Zuiker said.

“There is so much potential for these players this postseason,” he added. “Let’s see how they end the season.”

For more information on Kirtland athletics, visit online at firebirds.kirtland.edu or call 989-275-5000, extension 385.

- Marc Wallace of Kalkaska is a sophomore at Kirtland Community College and a staff member of the college’s student newspaper, the Kirtland Zine.