Mark Krahe enjoyed a solid fall season

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University’s men’s golf team is hoping to make another appearance in the NCAA national tournament after qualifying last year.

Only this time, they are expecting more.

“Our main goal is to play a tough schedule and find out just how good we are and where our faults may be. The first goal is to make it back to NCAA regionals and then win to advance back to the nationals,” NKU head coach Daryl Landrum said. “The only way to have a chance to be national champions is to continue going back to the finals until the players feel comfortable and believe in their hearts and minds that they can do it.

“I think we have one of the top 10 programs in the nation. We will get our chance at a title soon.”

The team had an impressive fall season, finishing in the top five of all the events they participated in. The team finished second in their own tournament, the NKU Invitational, behind Bellarmine.

NKU defeated Bellarmine six days later at the Timbergate Golf Course by 19 strokes. The team took the top five individual spots, led by Jon Ehlen, a sophomore from Florence, Ky. Junior Jerod Cahill followed closely behind Ehlen in second place. Only five strokes separated the top five scores.

The Norse finished in a tie for second place at the Great Lakes Fall Regional with Wayne (Mich.) State. They were led again by Ehlen, who finished tied for fifth, and junior Mark Krahe, who finished tied for 14th place.

Landrum is hoping the team’s balance that was shown during the fall will help during NKU’s spring events.

“I really think that we have a team of equals,” Landrum said. “All of our players can step up and help us win a tournament. Our biggest asset is our team balance.”

The Norse return three of the five golfers that were a part of the national tournament: senior Curtis Phelps, sophomore David Shearer and Ehlen. Due to the balance of the team, their spots are not secure for this season, according to Landrum.

“David Shearer, Jonathan Ehlen, Mark Krahe all had very good fall seasons, and they should stay in the top five," Landrum said. "But, Andrew Jewell, Curtis Phelps, Mike Kessling and Jerod Cahill are all expected to contend for the starting five.

“This year’s men’s team has seven players who are fighting it out for the top five spots. I really think this is the best men’s team I have ever had at NKU.”

The first tournament NKU will participate in will also expected to be the most challenging for the team, according to Landrum.

“Our toughest tournament will be our first spring event at Barry University in Miami, Fla.,” Landrum said. “It will be a great field. Thirteen out of the top 20 teams in the nation will participate.”

The team opens play March 4-9 with the tournament at Barry. The Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament will take place April 10-12 followed by the regionals in Edinburgh, Ind., April 15-17.