Indiana University Athletics
Brown, Doyle Lead the Hoosiers Through Fall Schedule
11/4/2015 4:05:00 PM | Men's Golf
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Two underclassmen have been able to step in and lead the way for the Indiana Men's Golf team.
Redshirt freshman Jake Brown and sophomore Brendan Doyle have found early success by leading the Hoosiers in scoring averages.
Brown, a Carmel, Indiana, native, did not play well in the fall of his true freshman season and the decision was made to have him redshirt and save a year of eligibility.
He had a difficult time not being able to participate in tournaments, however looking back he believes it was for the best.
"Having the experience of a full year before playing in my first tournament was helpful," Brown said. "It was definitely helpful sitting out a year, and I think it will prove to even be more beneficial looking down the road when I have a fifth year."
Head coach Mike Mayer believes that by redshirting, Brown had an opportunity to get some valuable experience in qualifiers. It also gave the coaching staff some time to help him refine his swing.
After sitting out for a year, Brown came in with confidence and expected to perform well. He states that even though he is not where he wants to be, his consistency has improved to a point where he feels confident with his play.
"What makes Brown different than a lot of people is that he has unbelievable determination," Mayer said. "He's really accountable and holds himself to a very high standard."
As the season has progressed Brown has started to feel more comfortable as he gains experience. Back at the start of the season at the Northern Intercollegiate, Brown said he was not nervous, but rather just really excited.
"I was really looking forward to it," he said. "I wasn't sleeping much the night before the tournament rounds."
After settling down, Brown has been able play the type of game he wants to. His best effort was at the Windon Memorial in September, where he finished tied for 17th overall. He tied his fellow teammate, Keegan Vea, which is Indiana's only Top-25 finishes this season.
Mayer has taken a notice on how Brown approaches the game, and even though he is only a redshirt freshman, Mayer says that he sees a lot of leadership qualities within him.
"He holds his teammates to the same high standard that he holds himself too," Mayer said. "That's what you are looking for in a leader, and I think he has the opportunity to become the leader of this program in more ways than one."
Doyle, a Louisville, Kentucky, native, did not sit out his freshman year, and found his experience to be crucial towards his improvement.
The sophomore has worked on strengthening his mental game; an aspect that he said was holding him back a year ago.
"I feel like I have a lot more confidence than last year," Doyle said. "I'm more comfortable at tournaments playing for the team and I think it's going to continue to help my game if I continue to build off that."
Some of his added confidence comes from the strong bond that he has with his coach. The two spend a lot of time together during the tournaments and Mayer is striving for Doyle to see how good he really is.
"Sometimes it's hard to realize that you can do it," Mayer said. "He's had to get more comfortable with success."
Doyle has taken his added confidence and applied it to his game and has already seen results, as he lead the team in both the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational and the Crooked Stick Invitational.
What makes Doyle a special golfer is his athletic ability, which Mayer explains as "not normal."
By this, he means that he has the capacity to hit some golf shots that other people do not have.
"He hits some shots that get your attention," Mayer said. "When some people hit some shots they make a certain sound that make you turn your head. He can be a head turner."
The team will end its fall season as they head to Maui, Hawaii, to take part in the Ka'anapali Collegiate Classic that starts Nov. 6.
The two underclassmen are hoping to end this portion of the schedule on a strong note.
"I'm hoping for a solid team finish," Brown said. "We haven't had one yet, but if we can accomplish that, it should give us a lot of momentum going into the spring."
Of course, traveling to Hawaii is an enjoyable experience for everyone involved and the team has some activities planned during some of its downtime.
"I'm very excited to go," Doyle said. "It's a great experience and I've never been there before. Coach said we are probably going to do some cool things like go snorkeling or whale watching, which will give us the chance to strengthen the outstanding team bond we already have. So I think we are all really looking forward to it and will go out there trying to finish the fall schedule on a high note."
Redshirt freshman Jake Brown and sophomore Brendan Doyle have found early success by leading the Hoosiers in scoring averages.
Brown, a Carmel, Indiana, native, did not play well in the fall of his true freshman season and the decision was made to have him redshirt and save a year of eligibility.
He had a difficult time not being able to participate in tournaments, however looking back he believes it was for the best.
"Having the experience of a full year before playing in my first tournament was helpful," Brown said. "It was definitely helpful sitting out a year, and I think it will prove to even be more beneficial looking down the road when I have a fifth year."
Head coach Mike Mayer believes that by redshirting, Brown had an opportunity to get some valuable experience in qualifiers. It also gave the coaching staff some time to help him refine his swing.
After sitting out for a year, Brown came in with confidence and expected to perform well. He states that even though he is not where he wants to be, his consistency has improved to a point where he feels confident with his play."What makes Brown different than a lot of people is that he has unbelievable determination," Mayer said. "He's really accountable and holds himself to a very high standard."
As the season has progressed Brown has started to feel more comfortable as he gains experience. Back at the start of the season at the Northern Intercollegiate, Brown said he was not nervous, but rather just really excited.
"I was really looking forward to it," he said. "I wasn't sleeping much the night before the tournament rounds."
After settling down, Brown has been able play the type of game he wants to. His best effort was at the Windon Memorial in September, where he finished tied for 17th overall. He tied his fellow teammate, Keegan Vea, which is Indiana's only Top-25 finishes this season.
Mayer has taken a notice on how Brown approaches the game, and even though he is only a redshirt freshman, Mayer says that he sees a lot of leadership qualities within him.
"He holds his teammates to the same high standard that he holds himself too," Mayer said. "That's what you are looking for in a leader, and I think he has the opportunity to become the leader of this program in more ways than one."
Doyle, a Louisville, Kentucky, native, did not sit out his freshman year, and found his experience to be crucial towards his improvement.
The sophomore has worked on strengthening his mental game; an aspect that he said was holding him back a year ago.
"I feel like I have a lot more confidence than last year," Doyle said. "I'm more comfortable at tournaments playing for the team and I think it's going to continue to help my game if I continue to build off that."Some of his added confidence comes from the strong bond that he has with his coach. The two spend a lot of time together during the tournaments and Mayer is striving for Doyle to see how good he really is.
"Sometimes it's hard to realize that you can do it," Mayer said. "He's had to get more comfortable with success."
Doyle has taken his added confidence and applied it to his game and has already seen results, as he lead the team in both the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational and the Crooked Stick Invitational.
What makes Doyle a special golfer is his athletic ability, which Mayer explains as "not normal."
By this, he means that he has the capacity to hit some golf shots that other people do not have.
"He hits some shots that get your attention," Mayer said. "When some people hit some shots they make a certain sound that make you turn your head. He can be a head turner."
The team will end its fall season as they head to Maui, Hawaii, to take part in the Ka'anapali Collegiate Classic that starts Nov. 6.
The two underclassmen are hoping to end this portion of the schedule on a strong note.
"I'm hoping for a solid team finish," Brown said. "We haven't had one yet, but if we can accomplish that, it should give us a lot of momentum going into the spring."
Of course, traveling to Hawaii is an enjoyable experience for everyone involved and the team has some activities planned during some of its downtime.
"I'm very excited to go," Doyle said. "It's a great experience and I've never been there before. Coach said we are probably going to do some cool things like go snorkeling or whale watching, which will give us the chance to strengthen the outstanding team bond we already have. So I think we are all really looking forward to it and will go out there trying to finish the fall schedule on a high note."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16