The Mizzou men’s golf team is kicking off its spring season at The John Burns Intercollegiate in Lihue, Hawaii, starting this Thursday.
This tournament features three days of competitive golf, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. CT on the first day. The Ocean Course at Hokuala, a stunning par-70 course stretching 7,098 yards, will be the venue.
The Tigers will face off against 19 other schools, including seven ranked in the top 50 nationally. Notable competitors include No. 19 New Mexico, No. 21 San Diego State, and No. 23 Utah, among others.
In the fall season, Mizzou showed promise with five tournaments and two top-5 finishes. Their standout performance was at the Moraine Intercollegiate, where three players finished in the top 15, helping the team secure third place.
Senior Veikka Viskari has been crucial to the team’s success, boasting a 72.07 stroke average over 15 rounds. He placed in the top 15 for four of the five tournaments and starts the spring ranked No. 174 in the nation. Sophomore Trent Mierl also had an impressive fall, tying his career-best score of 207 at Moraine.
Last year at the John Burns Invitational, the Tigers finished 11th out of 17 teams. Brock Snyder led the squad with an 18th-place finish in a field of 102 players.
During the winter break, senior Virgilio Paz shone brightly at the Latin America Amateur Championship. He finished tied for first with a five-under total of 275 before dropping in a playoff. His strong performance earned him exemptions for major tournaments like The Open and the U.S. Open.
Here’s the lineup for Mizzou:
1. Veikka Viskari
2. Virgilio Paz
3. Trent Mierl
4. Reese Roberts
5. Brock Snyder
Ind. – Bubba Chapman
Looking ahead, the Tigers will compete at the Colleton River Collegiate on March 1.
As golf continues to grow in popularity, the importance of mental strength and teamwork is increasingly recognized. Experts suggest that focusing on mental preparation can enhance performance.
With golf’s rising trend, the National Golf Foundation recently reported that there were over 24 million golfers in the U.S. in 2022, setting a record. This growing interest can provide opportunities for players to shine on various platforms, like social media, where highlights and personal stories engage fans and build support.
The Tigers are ready to make their mark this season, and the competition in Hawaii will be a critical test.
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