No. 1 Bulldogs taking new lineup on the road
PERKINSTON — In the world of community college athletics, almost every year's team is a pretty new look compared to the prior season. For the two-time defending national champion Mississippi Gulf Coast golf team, it's a totally new squad.
Coach Brad Thornton has turned over the roster completely for his 2025-26 squad, which again starts the year atop the Bushnell Golfweek NJCAA Division II Coaches Poll.
"We've got a really good group that's come in," he said. "It's a really talented freshman class, all 10 freshmen, this year. There will be some learning curves and some lessons learned throughout the season. I have no doubt the talent level is there to compete nationally by the time we get into the spring season."
The Bulldogs launch the new season right where they finished last year. They are in Plymouth, Ind., for the NJCAA Championship preview event at Swan Lake Golf Resort. They'll play 54 holes over two days starting Tuesday.
Thornton has three local players who have been helping the players from North Mississippi and Europe get acclimated to the conditions here. Chandon Johnson (Fr., Biloxi/Biloxi), Logan Jensen (Fr., Diamondhead/Hancock) and Matthew Bond (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) have handled the duties well.
"They do a great job helping the guys navigate these courses and navigate life in South Mississippi," he said. "I'm looking forward to what they bring to the table."
There are a pair of golfers each from the northeast and northwest parts of the state: Braeden Dobbs (Fr., Fulton/Itawamba AHS) and Craig Bullock (Fr., Ripley /Ripley) from the former, and Jayden Owensby (Fr., Hernando/Hernando) and Cal Wier (Fr., Hernando/Lewisburg) from the latter. They've hit the ground running at Perk.
A trio of Europeans with strong credentials are the final pieces to the puzzle. Thornton says they're "unbelievably talented" and are adjusting to the weather and dealing with culture shock. Paul Hoefer (Fr., Heidelberg,Germany/Kurpfalzgymnasium Mannheim) played on a top club team in Germany. Brits Noah Peters (Fr., London, England/Croxley Dane's School) and Alfie Burnett (Fr., Haslingden, England/Haslingden) have had good junior careers there.
"I like what I see from a competitive mindset, and I like the team chemistry so far," Thornton said. "I've got to be patient with them. There will be a lot of coaching, but we're in a really good spot as far as our talent level. It may just take some time."
Six of the top eight finishers from May's national championship are in Plymouth for the preview event: No. 2 Illinois Central, No. 4 Kirkwood, No. 5 Murray State, No. 6 Heartland and No. 8 Parkland. That's a formidable field to face in the first event of the fall.
The Bulldogs have brought Hoefer, Owensby, Bond, Jensen and Peters to compete, as well as Wier as an individual.
"We're just trying to get a lot of experience on a course and conditions we're not that familiar with," Thornton said. "I think the Europeans have had an easier transition when we go up north. There are different types of grasses and course layouts than the in-state guys are familiar with."
He sees the MACCC getting better, with traditional rivals Meridian and Jones back in the hunt. Pearl River has stepped up its game.
When the preseason coaches' poll came out last week, Gulf Coast was No. 1 for the 17th straight poll. The streak started Oct. 6, 2023.
It's a mantle Thornton welcomes, but one his squad will have to grow into.
"I'm hoping it puts a little bit of reality into these freshmen," he said. "These are things you've read about the past two years, but they've had no first-hand experience of what that recognition means. I hope it holds them to a higher level of accountability. I hope they don't take for granted. The polls don't mean anything this time of year, especially for us having 10 freshman. That's an honor and we take it seriously and want to hold our own."
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