The Guilford College golf team had an impressive weekend at the Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational. The team finished in second place and sophomore James Mishoe placed first individually.

Head coach Tereshko says Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational is arguably the place for the strongest collection of golf teams in Division III. This tournament allowed for Tereshko’s players to perform at their peak, topping four teams that are ranked in the top six in Division III.

Tereshko feels that being ranked 13th is a comfortable position for his team entering the end of the season. However, he and his players say they grow tired of getting second place and are growing hungry for tournament wins.

“We need to keep grinding, playing good team golf,” said Tereshko. “It is an individual sport, but we are in the team aspect of it. It is very difficult because the tournaments these guys played before entering college was individual. So, they must think of others before they think of themselves. If we keep this mentality, we should be fine.”

Tereshko enjoys playing with the team. He says that it is the dream of every golf coach to play with his athletes. He uses this as a coaching method that helps him understanding his players more thoroughly.

“I’d much rather get out there and play all 18 holes with them, so I can see how they maneuver around the golf course,” said Tereshko. “That way, I have seen numerous times what they have done in certain situations.”

Junior Josh Hill believes that having coach Tereshko on the field with them when they practice helps tremendously.

“Just being able to work with him and him being able to teach us new things, we would not be as prepared for tournaments or competition,” said Hill.

The golf team is primarily young, harboring only one junior and one senior. Hill says that for him and senior Harrison Frye, having experience in team golf has helped them guide their young teammates. They share a similar vision with their coach about what it takes to improve the team’s performance.

Mishoe was introduced to Guilford’s golf team in January of 2018, where he transferred from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Mishoe has led the team to success so far, winning outright at Jekyll Island with a score of 10-under-par 206 over 54-holes. He credits his teammates and coach Tereshko for their support in welcoming him to the team and helping him improve.

“I’d say something that we pride ourselves on is team chemistry,” said Mishoe “Coach Tereshko is a great coach and a great player. During the round, he knows how to make sure that you play (well). He’s supportive and he really coaches you through each shot when he is with you. We always have a team meeting the night before to get a game plan and he tells us to go out there and execute it.”

The score Mishoe recorded ties the second lowest shot score in College history on 54 holes. This record is held by Noah Ratner ’13, who shot a 204 at the 2011 Golfweek Invitational.

Mishoe has adopted the culture of Guilford golf, understanding that the team comes first. Although excited for his own accolades at Jekyll Invitational, he is more focused on making the trip to nationals with the team.

“Securing a bid in the Nationals is the only thing I am concerned about,” said Mishoe. “At the end of the day, it is a team sport and winning a national championship with the team is the ultimate goal.”

Through observing how his athletes play, Tereshko understands that he has a foundationally strong golf team. Even though he will be losing his junior and senior in the next couple years, he anticipates incredible seasons down the road.

“We have a good young core group of guys, so I am expecting big things next year and the year after,” said Tereshko. “We currently have three of the top five being sophomore or (first-year) so it will be competitive, and I hope that we keep improving.”

Tereshko and his team prepare for the Division III Match Play Invitational tournament on April 6-7 held at East Course, Grandover Resort in Greensboro North Carolina. After, they head into Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships on April 22-24, at Champions Course, Bryan Park in Greensboro North Carolina.