The University of Central Missouri Mules golf team made history Friday (May 21st), finishing second at the NCAA-II National Championships with a four-round total of 1,213 (+61), while senior Justin Yoder took second individually with a 291 (+3). Both were the highest finishes in UCM and MIAA history.
The Mules put up totals of 311, 304, 294 and 304 at the par 72 Sagamore Golf Club, just outside of Indianapolis. The Mules slowly climbed the leader board after the first day, going from seventh up to second. UCM shot the second-best score in the field on both the third and fourth days of the tournament. Florida Southern took home the crown with a final score of 1,206 (+54), while UCM finished just ahead of Chico State (Calif.) by one stroke at 1,214 (+62).
Yoder (Versailles, Mo.) was in the top five the entire week, shooting scores of 73, 75, 71 and 72. After the event he was named a Division II Ping first-team All-American, one of only nine players in the nation to earn that honor.
Matt Miller (Eldon, Mo.) and Jared King (Lawson, Mo.) were the next-highest finishers, tying for 30th with a score of 310 (+22).
Mules head coach Tim Poe was named the South Central Region Coach of the Year during the tournament for his efforts, while Yoder was also named to the All-South Central Region Team by Ping.
University of Central Missouri head golf coach Tim Poe earned the Eaton Golf Pride Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award for NCAA Division II on Tuesday, presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). He will be formally presented the award during the Hall of Fame Banquet at the GCAA Convention on December 6.
This season he led the Mules to their highest national finish in school history, finishing second in the nation at the Division II Championships in Noblesville, Indiana. The finish was also the highest in MIAA history. The Mules won the Super Regional crown for the first time in school history as well, and qualified for nationals for the second time in as many seasons. Central Missouri won eight of the 12 tournaments it played in this season with only one finish outside of the top four.
Poe, who has been the UCM head coach for 20 years, has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year 10 times to go with his 10 league titles. He is also a six-time recipient of the Eaton Golf Pride Regional Coach of the Year Award. The Keokuk, Iowa native has now taken the Mules to 17 consecutive NCAA Regional Tournament appearances.
