By Ben Pherson
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
In just a few short years, Rochester Mayo boys golf coach Neil McCormack has watched seniors Ty Moessner and Brock Case transform from low-end junior varsity players to two of the Big Nine Conference’s best golfers.
Case didn’t join the golf team until his sophomore year. As a freshman, Case was a member of the Mayo baseball program. He had always played golf for fun, but baseball was his sport. Case didn’t see much action on the baseball diamond his freshman season, so as a sophomore he joined the Mayo golf team.
That first season, Case was an average player. But he got serious about his game between his sophomore and junior seasons.
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"I saw a real transformation in his game that summer," McCormack said. "Brock came back that next year and was one of our better players. His swing was much better; he really matured."
In Moessner’s case, a growth spurt got the best and worst of him. During Moessner’s freshman season, he was the last member of the Mayo junior varsity team. When it came time to take the team picture, Moessner was left out.
"That didn’t feel good; I decided I wanted to be in that picture the next year," Moessner said.
Moessner hit a growth spurt early, and was forced to adjust his swing to fit his new height. Once the adjustments were made, though, it paid off big time.
"I came back my sophomore year and was like the No. 2 player on varsity," Moessner said.
"Ty matured early and it took him a while to adjust," McCormack said. "But once he shortened up his swing and made it more compact, he really saw an improvement in his game."
Now Moessner and Case are hoping to end their high school golf careers with the highest of highs — a trip to the state tournament.
Case was close as an individual a year ago, missing state by two shots.
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As a team, the Spartans led the Section One, Class AA tournament after the opening round. But they fell back in the final round.
"That first day, we had four good scores. The second day, we couldn’t get a fourth score, and it hurt us," McCormack said. "We feel good about our chances this year. I feel like we have six kids who can consistently shoot in the 70s."
Last year’s top player, Jeff Porter, graduated and is now playing at Winona State. But Case and Moessner said they’re comfortable in a leadership role.
"Being a senior, it’s no problem," Case said.
Case and Moessner both were All-Big Nine selections a year ago, Case with a 77.7 stroke average and Moessner at 76.5. Senior Peter Nyberg (79.5) and junior Tim Bouquet (79.6) also averaged in the 70s last season.
"We have high hopes as a team," Case said. "If we play like we can, we feel like we have a good shot at making state."
