The Holy Cross men’s golf team looked poised for another successful run at the CCAC Conference championship and a chance for a trip to the NAIA national tournament. The Saints have made the national tournament each of the last two years and were CCAC conference champions last year. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the team was not able to get off the ground in the spring season, and another trip to nationals no longer looked possible.
“The spring season was gearing up to be a continuation of years past,” head coach T.J. Mannen said. “We were really looking forward to the conference championship at Cog Hill again, but when the COVID-19 crisis hit during our spring break trip to Auburn University in Opelika, Ala., the team was noticeably concerned, and we saw our dreams of a third straight trip to nationals fall apart.”
While the spring season never really got underway, the Saints had one of their best fall seasons, winning three invitationals and playing competitively in the other events.
“We had a great fall, one of our best,” Mannen said. “The team had three wins at Blackthorn, Treetops and Warren while finishing second twice at CCAC Cup and Players Club. Even the other two events we finished fifth and eighth, which was in the top 40% of the field. We had a solid duo of [senior] Blake Vise and [sophomore] Camden Dal Corrobo leading us to some great team scores, and many other young freshmen stepped up and gave us some important low rounds. Looking back, it was a team effort of at least eight guys who contributed in all of our success.”
The Saints have one senior graduating this year in Vise, who caps off a successful three-year career at Holy Cross. Vise earned NAIA PING All-Region team honors as well as a World Amateur Golf Ranking, the latter being the first time a Holy Cross member has earned such an honor.
“Blake has been the quiet leader and driving force with this team,” Mannen said. “Proven leader and friend to all, he was really maturing into a captain and bringing everyone together. I feel so terrible that our season, his last spring with us, had to end this way — sort of unfinished business. I’m really going to miss his dominant play, his friendship and — most of all — his professionalism with this young team.”
Looking toward next season, Mannen said he feels that , as long as the Saints play within themselves, the results will take care of themselves.
“We are coming back and we will have a great schedule to play in,” Mannen said. “Same goal as always, play to our potential and the rest will take care of itself. Winning is always key but growth from one event to the next is paramount.”
