Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
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For Immediate Release
RE: Spartan Golfers Prepare for Nationals, Carstens Named Region V Coach of the Year
Spartan Golfers Prepare for Nationals, Carstens Named Region V Coach of the Year
May 6, 2004
Missouri Baptist University head golf coach, Randy Carstens, was named NAIA Region V Coach of the Year shortly after the Spartans clinched the Golf Regional Title on May 4. The Spartan golfers are now preparing for the 53rd Annual NAIA National Golf Championships beginning on May 18 in Olathe, Kansas.
Region V’s championship was held on the difficult Old Kinderhook course in Camdenton, Mo., May 3-4. MBU was led by freshman Cullen Carstens’ seven over par 220 to win the Region V title and a berth to Nationals. Finishing with a score of 74/71/75, Cullen was awarded regional medalist and MVP of the tournament.
On the final hole, MBU held a slim one shot lead. Cullen’s birdie on the last hole sealed the regional title, redeeming MBU from their disappointing American Midwest Conference title loss, on April 27, the first conference loss for the Spartan golfers since 1995.
“All year we played good teams close. We knew if we focused we could win the regional. It was the clutch play of the team on the last day that won it for us,” says Coach Carstens.
The Spartan team shot 306/306/296 for a 908 total, two shots better than second runner Lindenwood University. Zane Burgess, Cullen Carstens, and Adam Loyd were named to the All-Region Team. Cullen Carstens, Ryan Howell, Adam Loyd, and Danny Manselle received Academic All-Conference honors; Carstens, Howell, and Loyd, Academic All-Region honors, and Loyd, the prestigious Academic All-American honor.
Coach Randy Carstens is in his tenth season with the MBU golf team. This year marks his first Region V Coach of the Year award. He earned American Midwest Coach of the Year honors in 1996, 2002 and 2003. Coming into the season, Coach Carstens record stood at 516-137-11.
“Coach Carstens has done an excellent job over the years coaching our golf programs. It’s exciting to see him recognized for his efforts in the Region. I know the MBU community is thrilled his son also played a major part in the success of our men’s golf program this year,” says Director of Athletics Tom Smith.
The fourteen regional champions, a maximum of 144 golfers, will compete at the 72-hole NAIA National tournament on May 18 in Olathe, Kansas.
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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