“He who cares the least, typically plays the best.”
Wise words from Bradley men’s golf head coach Jeff Roche when considered in the right context.
Some may read that statement and immediately jump to hasty conclusions. Roche, however, believes players who are calm, cool and collected on the course perform better than those who overexert themselves in both thinking and swinging.
That said, the Braves have spent countless hours over the summer perfecting their physical and mental game. Between practice rounds and training in the weight room, the golfers have worked their clubs off preparing for the 2026-27 season.
“Our main goal is to be in contention at every tournament with nine holes left,” Roche stated.
To achieve this, Roche is coaching his golfers to focus on an old golf cliché: one shot at a time.
While it sounds simple, it is anything but.
Roche explained the numerous conditions and factors golfers must face each time they line up for a stroke, including temperature, wind, humidity, terrain, yardage conditions and swing mechanics.
Roche is confident in this philosophy and his team as they look to make a real push at the Conference Championship in April.
With most of last year’s cast returning, along with four newcomers, the level of intra-team competition will only elevate their skill as they compete among themselves to qualify for each tournament.
“I think this is a team to watch out for this year,” senior Carter Stevenson remarked. “Team chemistry right now is absolutely through the roof, and the camaraderie that we have is absolutely our biggest strength.”
The two-time MVC All-Conference placer has already put together three stellar seasons and returns with a rejuvenated mindset, ready to battle his way to the top of each tournament.
The Braves start their season at the ANF Fall Classic in Iowa on Sept. 8-9, where they will face Big 10 competition on an unfamiliar course.
While it is only the first of several tournaments to come, it could be a telltale sign of how the Bradley men’s golf team will perform this season.
