Matt Maskel is making a name for himself on the Illinois State mens golf team.
The sophomore from Morris, Ill. was named Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week for the week of September 17 after he tied for first place in the D.A. Weibring Classic. Maskel also led the Redbirds to a first place finish in the tournament. The Birds team score was the lowest in the 11-year history of the tournament.
Maskel shot a 209 combined score for three rounds setting a new personal best. His victory at the Weibring Classic also marked his first championship. After redshirting his freshman year he had only played in three tournaments for Illinois State before the Weibring Classic.
Maskel said he was looking forward to playing in the Kansas Invite, which took place September 23 in Lawrence, Kan.
That tournament is our best field, Maskel said. Its probably going to test myself and our team to the highest level that well compete at this season.
Maskel shot a score of 230 after three rounds and finished 64th in the tournament. The Illinois State mens team took 12th overall.
Testing himself is something that Maskel is really trying to do this year.
Personally, I would like to win a tournament individually, Maskel said. My other goals this year are qualifying for the NCAA individually and to have the lowest scoring average on our team.
Maskel feels that he has improved tremendously since he first arrived at Illinois State.
I think I have improved so much because my mentality and outlook towards the game has improved, Maskel said. Ive learned how to manage my game better by thinking my way around the golf course. Before I just depended on my athletic ability.
Maskel thinks that he still needs to focus on improving his short game this season.
If I can keep my short game more consistent, then I could compete in a lot more tournaments, Maskel said. That is something that I work on everyday in practice.
Last summer Maskel decided not to take time off, but instead to continue to work on his game.
I started off at home just working on my game everyday, Maskel said. Then in the middle of the summer I went to California and worked with my instructor. I was there for about two weeks and I feel like it really helped me.
One of Maskels dreams is to meet Tiger Woods, whom he feels is the best golfer in the world.
I would love to meet Tiger Woods because of his work ethic and the drive he has towards the game, Maskel said. He always pushes himself further to improve and I think he is a great role model for the game of golf.
Written by Jolene Harrison, Student Assistant, Athletics Media Relations
--ISU--
