NORTHEAST MEN’S GOLF READIES TO TEE OFF SPRING SEASON

NORFOLK, Neb. – The days are longer, the temperatures are rising and the Northeast Community College men's golf team is preparing to begin their spring season. The Hawks will start their 2023 campaign at the Schreiner Shootout Monday and Tuesday in Kerrville, Texas.

Northeast Head Men's Golf Coach Ty Heimes is entering his first season at the helm of the Hawks after being appointed the job in January of this year. Heimes is an alum of Northeast and is fully aware of the potential that this group is beaming with. The 2021-2022 season for the Hawks was capped off at the 2022 NJCAA DII Men's Golf Championship at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin, Missouri, and getting back on that stage is something in front of everyone's mind. Heimes' anticipation level is high to kickoff the season in just a few short days' time.

"We're very excited to go down south to Texas and some warmer weather," Heimes said. "We've got a good group. We have five sophomores, so we're an experienced group. They have big goals. Getting back to the national tournament is one of them. We have a pretty good team with some veterans on the team. We're excited."

Heimes will bring a squad that is nationally ranked No. 14 in the country to Texas, and there is one thing that he's been emphasizing to his team throughout the offseason.

"Just working hard," Heimes said. "We have a great indoor facility. Taking advantage of that. Some other schools that we compete against don't have that, so we're just making sure that we are coming in every day and working as hard as we can. Having two hitting bays, a putting green and a place where guys can put in the work is huge."

Sophomore Santiago Valdes (Mexico City, Mexico) is back at Northeast after being named Honorable Mention All-American for his 25^th-place performance at the 2022 NJCAA DII Men's Golf Championship last season. Valdes has also already pledged his commitment to continue his education and athletic career at NCAA Division I Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana next year.

"Anytime you have a D1 commit on your team, you're going to be in good shape," Heimes said. "I'm excited for him. He has a bright future ahead of him. He's been working really hard in our golf facility this winter. His hard work is going to pay off and we're looking for him to have a great year for us and to be our leader."

Riley Kuehn (Hartington, Neb.), Rockney Peck (Wisner, Neb.) and Kody Sander (Lincoln, Neb.) are also returning this year with a wealth of knowledge banked from last year's historic national tournament appearance.  

"Again, they worked hard this winter," Heimes said. "They put in the work. Now we get to go and show the work that we have put in over this long winter."

Emmet Hansen (Brandon, S.D.) is another golfer who brings sophomore leadership to the team even though he is embarking on his first year at Northeast.

"He's going to be a staple in our lineup," Heimes said. "He's another guy that's worked really hard. He cares a ton. He is going to have a good year for us."

Have national tournament appearances become the gold standard for what Heimes envisions the men's golf program to be?

"Absolutely!" Heimes said. "That's everyone's goal on the team this year to get there. They talk about it all the time, which I think is a good thing. That's our goal to get there every year."

The Hawks will look to take everything one hole at a time, but when the season ends there are a few benchmarks that Heimes wants his team to hit.

"I see us making a national tournament as a success, but overall, I want them to be better golfers, better guys, better students and to enjoy their time here at Northeast."

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