Larry Shoop is preparing for his first season as the Simpson men’s head golf coach and for coaching at the collegiate level.

“I’m terribly honored to have this position,” said Shoop about his new coaching job.

Shoop has had plenty of experience with golf. Besides being a personal hobby, he has coached private golf lesson for 10 years and he implemented a golf program at Martensdale-St. Mary High School four years ago where he continues to serve as head coach.

Shoop is not completely new to the Simpson golf program. He is part owner of the Deer Run Golf Course in Indianola, which serves as the practice facility for Simpson golfers.

“I got to know some of the players when they would come out to practice,” said Shoop.

Shoop has set high goals for the 2003 season. “I want to be a contending team for the conference title,” said Shoop.

Coach Shoop also hopes to eventually qualify for the Division III national tournament.

“The recruiting process will be new to me coaching at the college level,” said Shoop. “We need to stay on top of it and attract student athletes who want to play at the Division III level.”

Shoop is implementing a new off-season program for the team to help them reach their goals. The program will consist of flexibility and strength conditioning. “My main focus is to improve the skills of the players.”

Another change for the Simpson golfers is that there will be no trip to Arizona this year. For the past two years, the men’s golf team has competed in tournaments in Arizona. “There wasn’t enough time for fund-raising since I just took over in August,” said Shoop.

This year the team will compete in Joplin, Mo. “We will use this trip to work hard and improve games,” said Shoop. “We want to perform well in the first few meets and that will set our standards for the season ahead.”

Shoop plans on using bigger trips like Arizona as an incentive for the team in the future.

“I find a great reward being around gold,” said Shoop. “I enjoy teaching it and it’s a reward helping players improve their skills.”