OCT. 4 — Squad Improves Over Course Of Season
Younger players provide spark after Schenk struggles through senior season

Freshman Aaron Schenk

Goshen, IN — With a new coach heading a team playing at a new time of year, the Goshen College men’s golf team finished in ninth-place in the Mid-Central Conference, averaging a 374 score in the year’s four conference events.

With the league changing the men’s golf season to the fall for the first time in MCC history — the NAIA still recognizes the game as a spring sport — Goshen struggled to last-place finishes in all four conference meets. The MCC elected to move the sport to the fall as a result of the region’s inclement weather in the early spring months, and the fact that poor conditions often postponed matches to the final weeks of school, interfering with final examination schedules.

“I’m not sure if the sport’s move to the fall really hurt any golfer at any school,” said Cory Furman, Goshen head coach. “If anything, playing in the fall should be a benefit, because players are coming off of a full summer’s work on their respective games.”

Senior captain Aaron Schenk was hoping that his summer of training could have replicated his sophomore year’s results — a scoring average of 78.5 in conference play and an NAIA regional berth with a 72.7 average — but Schenk found the going difficult. The senior finished second on the team in scoring (averaging 88.3) and was hurt by two dismal performances at Indiana Wesleyan University (90) and Grace College (99). Schenk ended in better fashion, shooting an 84 at the University of St. Francis on Sept. 30 and a team season-low 80 to finish the season at Bethel College on Oct. 4.

“Aaron has had a great career here at Goshen, and I know how disappointed he was with his play this year,” Furman said. “It was good to see him get back to playing better toward the end of the season, though. He worked very hard on trying to get his swing back, and it was good to see him end on a positive note.”

Junior Joel Kauffman ended the year as the Leaf’s top golfer, averaging an 86.5, good for 35th-best in the conference. Kauffman fired an 83 at St. Francis and an 84 at Grace in his two best rounds. Freshman Ryan DeYoung showed promise as well, starting the year with a season-low 89 before a pair of 92 scores dropped his season average to 92.3.

“Joel and Ryan both showed signs of improvement,” Furman said. “Joel will be our top returning golfer next season, and Ryan has potential to drop his score significantly.”

Senior Jason Kauffman (111.0 average), junior Adam Orrick (109.3 average) and freshman Tom McDowell (113.0 average) rounded off the six-man squad. Marian College took the MCC title, averaging a team score of 301.0. The Knights’ Zach Wolma took league medalist honors, averaging a 72.0 for the season.

“We talked all year long about improving from week to week,” Furman said. “With the exception of a tough Stonehenge course at Grace, we were able to do that pretty consistently. We now will turn to a summer of work in order to be more competitive next season.”

MAY 20 — Furman In, Kaufman Out As Golf Coach
Three-year head coach steps down for personal reasons; Furman adds to duties

Cory Furman

Goshen, IN — Beginning in the 2004-2005 school year, the Goshen College men’s golf team will be experiencing a variety of changes. For the first time in school history, the Leafs will compete on the links during the fall sport season. For the first time in three years, Goshen will have a new head coach.

Three-year head coach Brent Kaufman announced his resignation from the program Thursday, citing personal reasons for stepping down. Kauffman led the squad to the program’s first team trophy in seven years — a second-place finish at the A.C. Eddy Invitational at Tri-State University in 2002 — and coached two All-Mid-Central Conference performers and an NAIA All-Region VIII performer during his tenure. Kauffman also had an NAIA All-America Scholar Athlete on his roster in 2002, and concluded his career guiding the Leafs to a seventh-place MCC finish in 2003.

“Brent is a very knowledgeable golf coach and a great teacher of the game,” said Ken Pletcher, Goshen College athletics director. “He has been a tremendous help to our student-athletes, and we wish him the very best.”

Kaufman and his wife, Cheryl, an associate professor of business at Goshen College, will lead a Study Service Term group to the Dominican Republic in January. Following that trip, both will leave Goshen College to pursue other professional opportunities.

“I will deeply miss coaching golf at Goshen College,” Kaufman said. “It was rewarding to work with these student-athletes in this manner. They develop in so many ways other than just in golf. It is great to be part of all that, including getting to know and help players from other schools as well. I wish the school and this program the best as it continues to improve.”

As Kaufman resigned, Pletcher announced that current Goshen College sports information director and assistant men’s basketball coach Cory Furman would take over the golf program, giving the Leafs a familiar leader in 2004.

“Cory is a very dedicated coach and with his current role as SID, he is very accessible and available to our team members,” Pletcher said. “I have no doubt that he will continue to lead our program with the professionalism and expertise that he has shown in his basketball coaching role.”

While Furman has no collegiate golf playing or coaching experience, he has worked closely with the game his entire life, working both in course maintenance and in pro shops throughout his college education. Furman spent six summers as a golf course assistant superintendent and one year as a pro shop assistant from 1995-2001, giving him a feel for course management, golf protocol and the opportunity to play hundreds of rounds of golf.

“I enjoy the game of golf probably more than most people who play,” Furman said. “I think I can help our athletes with the mental aspect of the game, which I feel is the most important aspect. My father taught me the game at a very young age, and it continues to be what binds our relationship. I am anxious to share in my love of golf with some talented young men this fall.”

Furman said that current assistant coach and former Goshen College standout golfer Jim Neff will continue in his coaching role this fall. Neff was an all-conference player for the Leafs from 1997-2000, while boasting the team’s lowest scoring average in each of his four seasons.

“Jim Neff is as good of an instructor as I’ve ever been around,” Furman said. “He will continue to help our players improve on all aspects of their game, especially their swing.”

Goshen moves its golf season to the fall in 2004 after MCC schools voted on the switch, citing weather and final examinations as primary reasons for the move. A fall golf season will allow teams warmer and drier weather to compete in, as well as not having to schedule around final examinations, as teams did in the spring. And while Goshen will compete in all team competitions in the autumn months, the NAIA regional and national events will continue to take place in the spring.

“The transition to a fall season presents new challenges for us, and we are fortunate to have Cory ready to assume this leadership role for our golf team,” Pletcher said.

Furman will continue his role as sports information director and assistant men’s basketball coach with his new position, and said he believes the program is in good shape with Kaufman’s departure.

“Brent has got a great jump on recruiting and will stay very involved with the program this fall,” Furman said. “He may have officially resigned, but he will help us in many ways this season.”

Furman graduated from Ball State University in 1999 and is currently completing his thesis en route to a master’s degree in athletic administration. Prior to arriving at Goshen, Furman was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Luther College (NCAA Division III) in Decorah, Iowa. A native of Fishers, Indiana, Furman is currently single and resides in Goshen.