College Preview: Mid-America Conference
Central Michigan
By Andy Sneddon
A unique co-ed event, the inaugural Motor City Matchup, is among the highlights for Central Michigan golf in 2024-25. The Chippewa men’s and women’s teams are set to host at historic Birmingham Country Club Oct. 14-15.
The three-round match play tournament comprises the CMU squads and those representing Detroit Mercy, Oakland and Green Bay. The won-loss records of the men’s and women’s team for each school will be combined, making it a true co-ed competition, the only of its kind in NCAA Division I.
The Chippewa men begin their third season under coach Kevin Jennings, a Benton Harbor native, and they are eyeing continued improvement while once again facing a rugged schedule. That slate includes a return to Napa, Calif. for the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational at Silverado Country Club.
The CMU-hosted event is part of the Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program, which is designed to enhance competitive and mentorship opportunities for student-athletes from underrepresented communities and historically black colleges and universities.
The Chippewas return most of their key players, including junior Philippe Yturralde, who finished T12 in the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championship. Yturralde, who hails from La Mesa, Calif., holds or shares the program 18-, 36- and 54-hole records.
Among CMU’s other returnees are Clawson native Jeffrey Andrus, a Royal Oak Shrine grad, and program mainstays Orlando Coons, Nicholas Kilgore and Easton Phillips.
Third-year coach Ryan Williams and the Chippewa women are re-tooling after the graduation of Ashley Goh, the top player CMU has seen since the program’s resurrection in 2014-15. Goh wrapped up her brilliant career with a sixth-place finish – her 15th career top 10 -- in the MAC Championship, leading CMU to a surprising fifth-place finish.
That finish is an encouraging starting point to 2024-25 for Williams as he rebuilds with promising transfer Hailey Katona, who joins a cast of several young players and a strong class of incoming freshman, among them Michigan natives Rachel Niskanen of Negaunee, Lauren Davis of Coopersville, and Brooke Morris of Canton.
Eastern Michigan Men
By Greg Steiner
The 2024-25 season marks the dawn of a new era for Eastern Michigan University’s men’s golf program, spearheaded by first-year Head Coach Andy Walker – bringing a wealth of experience to the Eagles, who are poised to make waves on the national stage this year. Backed by unprecedented support from GameAbove, the program’s goal is to transcend its mid-major status and compete with the nation's best.
Walker, a celebrated coach known for his formidable tenure at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he led the Rams to multiple championships and NCAA appearances, has embraced the challenge of turning EMU into a powerhouse. His appointment, along with significant investments in the program, underscores a transformative vision for the Eagles.
"Eastern, with the generous and unprecedented help from GameAbove, is now poised to do something in college golf that hasn't been done before—turning a mid-major program into one funded at the level that only a few Power 4 schools have attained," Walker said.
Leading the charge is Rory McDonald (Shrewsbury, England), a transfer from USC-Aiken who boasts a winning pedigree, including an English Amateur title and a victory at the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate. Timothy Chan (Hong Kong/VCU), another key addition, played a crucial role for Walker last year and is known for his ability to go low, having recently shot a 60 to win an event in Singapore.
"Pietro Fenoglio (Torino, Italy), a transfer from TCU, has played really well this summer and is coming in with a lot of confidence," Walker noted. "This team has so much depth, with Daniel Robles Delval (Albacete, Spain), a member of the Spanish National Team and a transfer from Rogers State, and Bavake Sihota (Caledon, Ontario), who comes from the University of Michigan, all the way to our freshman class."
Among the freshmen, James Baxter (London, England) stands out, having secured multiple wins in his home country over the summer. This deep and talented roster is expected to foster a highly competitive environment within the team, pushing each player to elevate their game.
"Our intersquad qualifying for tournaments is going to be very competitive, and I'm sure we are going to play different lineups throughout the year, which will keep everyone grinding and, on their toes," Walker emphasized.
Eastern Michigan Women
By Greg Steiner
The Eastern Michigan University women’s golf team is gearing up for what could be a landmark year. With a renewed focus, plus an impressive lineup of talent and a challenging schedule, Head Coach Josh Brewer has set his sights on a Mid-American Conference title and a deep postseason run. This season is poised to redefine the program, driven by the leadership of Coach Brewer and the financial support from GameAbove.
The men’s and women’s teams will both be utilizing the new $8 million GameAbove Golf Performance Center, as well as playing and practicing at the EMU home course, Eagle Crest, recently ranked the No. 9 best college golf course in the country by NBC’s GolfPass.
The roster for the 2024-25 season is a blend of returning talent and exciting new additions. Leading the charge is sophomore Riley Kim (Aldie, Va.), the standout player from last year, whose stability and experience will be crucial as the team grows. "Riley will add the stability we need as we grow the program," Brewer noted.
Joining Kim is Savannah DeBock (Belgium), a European Individual Champion and one of the best amateurs in the world. DeBock, who transferred from Georgia after playing under Brewer there, brings a wealth of experience, including appearances in two British Opens and the Augusta National Women's Amateur. "Savannah is a world-class talent who wants to be part of a winning team," said Brewer.
The team also welcomes three national team players: Marianna Vega (Colombia), Julianna Go (Philippines), and Maddysun Beeching (England). Additionally, senior Amaya Melendez (Ann Arbor Pioneer), who has patiently waited four years to don the Green and White, will finally get her chance to contribute to the team's success.
"Our goal is to compete and win in the postseason," Brewer emphasized. "To prepare for April and May, we had to create a schedule that would allow us to challenge ourselves during the regular season. This means competing in different time zones, on different grasses, as well as at various elevations."
The season kicks off at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., on Sept. 16-17. From there, the team heads to the GolfWeek Challenge in Wolcott, Colo., before traveling to Lawrence, Kan., in early October – before a tropical test at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational in O'ahu, Hawaii, and finish the fall season at the Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Fla.
Western Michigan Women
Western Michigan set records last year that head coach Kim Moore hopes continue into the 2024-25 season.
The Broncos return Northville native Megha Vallabhaneni (8th at MAC Championship, 2nd team all-conference) and Jenna Hayes of Dayton, Ohio – as well as two-time Indiana State high school individual champion, Macy Beeson, and now-sophomore Bella Brooks from Lexington, KY. Freshman Lauren Lupinek, of Wisconsin is also off to a great start and looks to be a starter.
The team also tied the all-time low 54-hole score in school history of 883, which was first set the prior year at the Bowling Green Falcon Florida Classic. Vallabhaneni shot a 67 for the second best in school history. The birdies also continued to pile up, recording the most birdies in a single season with 312 (and one eagle) which superseded the previous record the year prior of 297 total in 12 tournaments. The team won the Butler Spring Invitational as well, the first win in the previous four years.
Academically the Broncos finished the season with a 3.72 team GPA.
