By William Musgrove
OTTUMWA -- It was a dreary day in Ottumwa, Iowa on September 13, with it sprinkling rain off and on all day. Most coaches would have canceled practice, telling their team, "There is always tomorrow." However, most coaches aren't Mike Hagen, head coach of the Indian Hills men's golf team for the past seven years, as his team was on the course displaying the amazing work ethic that has made them national champions last two years in a row, winning last year by 13 strokes. With this, they have earned the rank as the top golf team in the NJCAA Division 1 this year (Golf World/Nike Golf NJCAA Division I preseason poll).
If there was one word to describe Indian Hills golf, that word is excellence. Not placing below 6th in the past 17 years in the National Tournament, 40 NJCAA All-Americans, and earning 18 team titles over the past two years solidifies it. But, what makes them stand out from all the others? Coach Hagen would credit it to good recruiting and getting golfers that will buy into his hard-work philosophy, which has served Indian Hills well, helping them get the most out of their golfers.
One of these golfers is Indian Hills alumnus Monty Lack, who played on both of the last two National Tournament winning teams, he describes the team's success with, "IHCC golf team is successful because of its team spirit and the thirst to beat anybody out there." He goes on with, "Another major difference is we were not happy to come 2nd. Other teams would be happy for a top 3 but it wasn't the case for hills."
Also, the trust that he had in Coach Hagen played a role in his performance, declaring, "I trusted him to always have my back and that made it easy to go out and play for him and for myself."
Coming off wins in the National Tournament two years in the row, there is a lot of pressure to repeat. When asked how he would build on his recent success Coach Hagen stated, "I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing." The old attitude of "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" fits perfectly, as it should have Hagen and his team going far this year in the postseason.
Sophomore Ben Ludlam is definitely going to keep doing what he is doing, as he is coming of his Phil Mickelson Award winning season as the best freshman in NJCAA Division I. Along with Ludlam, sophomores Mitch Tucker, William White, and Kevin Workman are also returning from the 2011-2012 season. With this solid base of sophomore leadership, the freshmen coming in should be able to hit the ground running.
Indian Hills golf has a history of brilliance and this year should be no different. Hagen is an excellent coach, with the ability to make excellent golfers. Placing 3rd in their first event this year, the Wichita Diet Pepsi Shocker Invite, should be a building point for the rest of the season. Hagen and the Indian Hills men's golf team won't be crying fore anytime soon.
Their next event is the Community 1st Credit Union Fall Invite, in Ottumwa, Iowa on September 16-18.