News

By Ryan Schlehuber, MCC Sportwriter

After finally fulfilling both state and national probationary periods, the Montcalm Community College Centurions men’s golf team quickly made a splash, earning a regional title and an appearance at the national championship. 

With MCC bringing back its athletics program, after a more than 40-year hiatus, each Centurions team was on a standard probationary period both the National Junior College Athletics Association (one year) and Michigan Community College Athletics Association (two years).  

Last fall, the Centurions golf team tied for first place at the Division II Region XII but, because of the program’s probation, MCC was unable to attend the NJCAA Division II National Championships.  

This spring, however, the team picked up right where they left off, either winning or finishing runner-up in each of its regular-season meets. The Centurions then captured their first regional title, along with head coach Doug Harkema being named Coach of the Year. They topped off the epic season with a 16th-place finish at the NJCAA National Championships. 

Harkema remembers the feeling he and his team had last spring, knowing they were good enough to earn a spot at nationals but were unable to go. He said it felt like unfinished business as spring came around. 

“Being able to (tie for first at last spring’s regionals) was amazing yet disappointing at the same time,” Harkema said. “They didn’t get to reap the awards, but we knew we had a shot this year and actually winning regionals was the biggest highlight of the year. That’s a great accomplishment, especially for being how young of a program we are.” 

This spring’s Centurions team was a balanced mixed of talents, experienced and new, including the three golfers from Holt, Mich. — freshman Mason Blair and brothers Ethan and Zach Johnson, who were supported by the experienced sophomores Ryan Clingenpeel (East Lansing, Mich.) and Jerald Brownell (Cedar Springs, Mich.), along with freshman youngblood Kenny Mitchell (Cedar Springs, Mich.).  

Harkema said his players, from the start, bonded so well that he knew he did not have to motivate them at all to improve and work towards a national championship appearance.  

“I didn’t try to talk about that a whole bunch because I knew it was in their sights and I didn’t want to raise their anxiety level any more than it may already have been,” Harkema said. “Our goal every day was to play our best boring golf that we could.” 

Harkema taught his philosophy of “boring golf,” where players don’t chase after low scores but rather play solid golf, making good decisions and being smart. 

“I think the guys bought into that,” he said. “They knew when to take chances and when not to.” 

Harkema had many praises for those who supported the team, which he said was essential in making this season a banner season for the program’s history books. 

“The school was taking a big leap of faith with bringing its athletic programs back and our team, in particular, had all the support we needed, from the board president down to our athletic director team and the facilities we had,” Harkema said. “The atmosphere around us lets us succeed and go for things like a national championship, it is amazing. We, as a team, are appreciative of that, as well.”  

The focus now turns to recruiting for both Harkema and assistant coach Zach Gascoyne, with recruits visiting campus already.  

The 2025 fall golf season begins Aug. 9.