VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of South Dakota men's golf team will open their spring campaign on Monday at the World Golf Village Collegiate in St. Augustine, Florida.  The tournament will be the first of five leading up to the Summit League Championships at the end of April.
 
The fall season was up-and-down for USD, but the Coyotes finished in the top third of the field in two of their final three events.  Coach John Vining feels the team has momentum moving into the spring.  "I am excited to see this team continue to get better. We showed multiple times this past fall that we can put it together for 54 holes. This group is hungry to compete and see what they can accomplish this spring."
 
The Coyotes graduated several accomplished golfers last season, including Bryce Hammer, Ben Hicks, Ian Johnston and Hunter Rebrovich.  This season's roster includes a mix of youth and experience.  Among the veterans on the team, Max Schmidtke stands out.  A senior, Schmidtke was named one of nine Summit League "Golfers to Watch" this spring by the league's head coaches.  He led the team in stroke average each of the last two seasons and set a school record tying single round score of 64 (-7) at the Zach Johnson Intercollegiate this fall.  Schmidtke is also a leader on campus, and serves as the President of the student-athlete advisory committee, or SAAC.  He was also a member of the Summit League's Commissioner's List for Academic Excellence last season.
 
"Max is a natural leader in every aspect of his life. He approaches everything like a professional, his best attribute is that he is always learning and looking to get better. Our program is lucky to have his leadership. Max's stock will continue to rise," said Vining.
 
Schmidtke is one of five returning golfers, though, and all five look to make an impact this year.  Nick LaMotte is the only returning Coyote besides Schmidtke who competed at last year's Summit League Championships.  The senior finished an even-par 12^th place at the Zach Johnson Invite, good for second on the team.  He was also the Coyotes' number two finisher at the Bryan National Collegiate.  Both tournaments were among the best team performances for USD in the fall season. 
 
"I am proud of Nick, his maturity on and off the golf course has reached new heights. He sees his own potential and wants to win. He is going to be a key piece for us this spring," said Vining. "When he has his foot on the gas, he can compete with the best."
 
The Coyotes' third senior is Ryan Neff, competing in his fourth season with USD and fifth collegiate season overall after transferring from St. Cloud State.  The former South Dakota High School State Champion has competed in 27 college events for USD in his career.  A stellar student, Neff has been on the Summit League's Commissioner's List for Academic Excellence the last two years.  He has already graduated from USD with a degree in business and is working on his master's degree in professional accountancy. 
 
Said Vining of Neff, "Ryan is a competitor and works as hard as anyone.  He is going to be back in the lineup to start the spring. Ryan's belief in himself has elevated, he knows he has been close to finding consistent success, I see that continuing into this spring."
 
Junior Logan Hamak was the Coyotes' low scorer in three of the five fall tournaments.  The Minnesota native has shown steady improvement since his freshman season in which he averaged 79.52 strokes per round.  Last season he improved to 75.65, and this fall he improved to 74.13.  His emergence this season has helped the team withstand the graduation of three of their top golfers. 
 
"Logan has become more comfortable and confident throughout his career in college golf," Vining said of Hamak.  "It has been awesome to see him work through being out of his comfort zone. He handles adversity well. His mindset has allowed him to improve on the performance side as well.  He is going to continue to make a consistent impact this spring."
 
The other returning golfer is sophomore Danny Renner.  Renner competed at one event in the fall, but Coach Vining hopes to get him more opportunities to compete this season.  Renner is also an accomplished student, making the Summit League Honor Roll last year.  
 
"Danny is a guy were all constantly rooting for," said Vining.  "His work ethic is second to none. I think Danny had a great offseason and hope to see him get some competitive opportunities this spring."
 
The Coyotes welcomed four newcomers, all freshmen, into the fold this year as well.  Minnesota native Cole Witherow has made an immediate impact.  The high school state champion was in the lineup for all five fall tournaments for the Coyotes.  He provided the team's low score at the "Throwdown Up Top", hosted by USD in October, and was among the top three finishers on the team at four events this fall.
 
 "Cole has been consistent for us," said Vining.  "He is a fiery competitor that is never satisfied and is always pushing to get better. He is going to be a big part of what we can get done as a team this spring."
 
Two more freshmen that have started to make an impact are Parker Etzel and Joe Rohlwing.  Joe Rohlwing was featured twice in the Coyotes' regular lineup this fall, and Etzel also made an appearance.  Both made multiple appearances as individuals as well.  Rohlwing is an Eagle Scout and is also an accomplished racquetball player.  Etzel was a state champion golfer, and a 4.0 student in high school in Wisconsin. 
 
"Joe Rohlwing and Parker Etzel are names you're going to see this spring as well," Vining said of the pair.  "They are hungry to count towards the team score and make an impact on where this team finishes. I am excited to see their growth into this spring as well as their impact on the success of this program over the next 4 years." 
 
The Coyotes' final freshman, Ryan Seevers, is redshirting this season.  He was a three-sport letterwinner in high school in Nebraska, including standout performances in golf, basketball, and football.   
 
"Ryan Seevers is redshirting this year, he is working hard and is going to make a big impact on this program with this freshman class." said Vining.
 
The Coyotes finished seventh at last year's Summit League Championship and were picked seventh in this year's preseason poll.  We have 'em higher.  Coach Vining thinks his mix of veteran leadership, youthful talent, and team chemistry could be a special combination.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of our seniors and the people they have become. Each semester they come back more mature and hungrier to compete and improve. Having their mentality lead the rest of this group is going to pay dividends this spring. We are going to play some good golf this spring, and plan for our best to come in late April at the Summit League Championship."
 
The Coyotes open their spring season on Monday at the World Golf Collegiate in St. Augustine, Florida.  Their schedule then sees them travel to Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Illinois before the Summit League Championships which are set for April 28^th through 30^th.