Despite placing fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Tuesday, Bradley men’s golf head coach Jeff Roche reflected on the past four years with his seniors.
Four of the seven players on the roster will graduate this spring, ending an era marked with success. Two of the players from this year’s roster, senior Drake Bushong and Michael Mounce, both competed in the NCAA Regional round last May.
“It’s gonna be hard to see them leave,” Roche said. “This group, I’ve enjoyed having around … They’ve been a part of raising our program to the highest level its been in a long time, if not ever. That part I’ll be grateful for forever. It’s been a great run.”
As the returning MVC champions, the Braves could not defend their crown at The Club at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach, Mo.
At the par-72 club, Bradley scored 302 in the first round and 301 in the second round on Monday and 291 in the final round on Tuesday.
“We didn’t play great at Mississippi State the week before but played really well the final day,” Roche said. “We had some good momentum going in and we just didn’t come through as far as that first day. When you play a 36-hole day, we have no breaks. So you don’t have a chance to reevaluate.”
Southern Illinois finished first after finishing second to the Braves last year. In all the three rounds, the Salukis fired under 300, including a tournament-best 281 in the final round to win by 10 strokes. Illinois State took second behind SIU with a score of 869.
“I thought we were in a pretty good state of mind coming in,” Roche said. “Illinois State and SIU were the two favorites last year, and, coming in, they had a little more of an edge.”
Junior Charles Jahn finished eighth overall individually with rounds of 2-over-par 74 in the first, 4-over-par 76 in the second and a Bradley best 3-under-par 68 in the final round.
Bushong finished ninth overall individually. He performed the best for Bradley in the first two rounds, carding a pair of par-72’s. He ended the final day of his Bradley career with a 3-over-par 75.
Roche reflected on Bushong’s career, highlighted by four All-MVC performer awards. Bushong is the only player to achieve this feat in program history and one of eight to do so in conference history.
“It’s a testament to who Drake is and the hard work that he’s put into it,” Roche said. “You look at all his accolades as far as being a student-athlete, his whole career is very well rounded. Every accolade he’s getting he’s earned and deserves.”
Roche said he will have to adjust to training a new class of recruits next season. He looks forward to implementing the system he has developed over the past few seasons with young talent.
“With the success we had, it’s allowed us to raise the bar in who we’re recruiting and bringing in,” Roche said. “We really don’t have a whole lot of [players with] playing experience [with Bradley] but a lot of experience from outside that they’re bringing in.”
Roche said after winning the championship last year, he has started to emphasize the process of smart and in-the-moment effort rather than focusing on the winning or losing result.
“We can understand winning is important, but the process of getting anywhere is the most important thing,” Roche said.
Mounce said he believes the team is in a great position next year and offered some advice to the freshmen coming that mirrored Roche’s mentality.
“To not [overthink it],” Mounce said. “Just play how you play in junior golf and get the ball in the hole.”
