PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NSCC GOLF… Michael Donovan (above) of Stryker will be leading the new Northwest State Community College golf program this fall.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
It’s been in the mindset of Michael Donovan to start up a club golf program at Northwest State Community College.
Donovan, who is currently a guidance counselor at Stryker High School, is looking forward to the opportunity for all students to consider playing throughout their time in the two-year school.
“I thought there was always some potential for the school and for area students that graduate too,” said Donovan. “I kind of always had it in my head a little bit, and it worked out.”
Getting support for the program has been a big positive for Donovan. After frequent discussions with NSCC President Todd Hernandez, VP of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Cassie Rickenberg, along with Ron Coles, Alumni Relations, and Emili Clingaman of the Admissions department, approval was finally given to Donovan to get things rolling.
“I pitched some ideas to them, and they were willing to listen,” commented Donovan. “We came up giving us a shot. I think there is definitely some opportunities for them and for the students as well.”
Golf is the third sport offered at NSCC, alongside evMotorsports and esports, the other two sports that are presently going on.
After getting approval from NSCC officials, the newly formed golf club chose Suburban Golf Course in Bryan as the school’s official home course.
“We had talked about some different sports, and I think logistically, there is a lot of issues. They don’t really have the facilities and that kind of thing,” said Donovan.
“I think golf was the most doable and we had to find a golf course and that’s a pretty big deal.”
He showed his appreciation towards Suburban Golf Course, a par-72, 6,054-yard layout.
“Suburban Golf Course was really gracious to let us use them as our home course, and they have a lot of great stuff going on,” added Donovan.
“Once we were able to get over that obstacle, we’re going to try to treat this a little bit as a club team.”
The college then did a survey among its current student population to see if there was some interest. There were several students who had shown interest in playing club golf.
“We got it, probably started a little too late to work on like the last year’s senior class and do some recruiting and things like that,” said Donovan.
“We just didn’t have time to get the word out. But we knew that we had some current students that were interested.”
Currently, there are five boys and three girls who will be making their college golf club debut beginning on September 3 with an intrasquad match at Suburban Golf Course.
They include Daniel Donovan (Stryker), the son of Michael Donovan; Lily Wiemken (Pettisville); Mina Wesche (Pettisville); Jamison Waidelich (Archbold); Jacob Cadwell (Stryker); Joey Ripke (Pettisville); Kristin Wannemacher (Wayne Trace); and Brock Bostelman (Napoleon). Most of them have played high school golf.
Michael Donovan is hoping to add a few more players to the team when school starts.
The team will compete in the National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA), which hosts tournaments all year with a chance to claim a national title. Tournaments are held both in the fall and spring.
The schedule for the upcoming season is nearly finalized. Besides the intersquad home match on September 3, the golf club will host Defiance College JV on September 7; play at Siena Heights JV on September 8; participate in the NSCC Golf Outing at Van Wert on September 12; compete at Defiance College JV (Auglaize Golf Club); and face Siena Heights JV on October 1.
The newly formed club golf team will eventually compete in several NCCGA tournaments with dates yet to be finalized in October.
“I’m really excited and I think our kids are pretty excited too,” said Michael Donovan about the inaugural season. “I think it’s probably something – (not) an opportunity they necessarily expect to have. It’s certainly not something that I expected. I don’t have a golf background, so that’s another challenge.”
“I’m hoping that we will be able to attract high school seniors and juniors who maybe stay home and go to a more affordable college. The potential is there to create some local interest at Northwest State Community College.”