Lewis and Clark Opens Golf Season and Eyes; Growth with Young Roster

GODFREY, IL — Lewis and Clark Community College men's golf opened its 2025–26 season Wednesday at the Heartland Fall Invitational, where Head Coach Shane Callahan said limited preseason preparation showed against a competitive field.

"We were very limited on our prep time for the season opener," Callahan said. "We simply didn't have enough time to prepare for a field of this caliber. Our finishing position reflected the lack of preparation."

Despite the tough start, Callahan highlighted the play of two freshmen, Layne Wilkens and Henry Neely, who he said exceeded expectations in their first collegiate competition. Both earned spots on the travel squad and turned in encouraging performances.

"We have lots of potential and firepower in them," Callahan said. "I expect their performances will only improve as they gain experience throughout the season."

Callahan also emphasized the mental and physical demands of tournament play, noting that the invitational stretched nearly 10 hours of continuous golf. The coaching staff, he said, evaluates both technical execution and how players respond to pressure situations.

"Golf is unique in its parameters of performance," Callahan said. "We evaluate process versus execution after each round. Was it your choice or your swing that led to the score? We also look at how well players bounce back after a bad hole or stay calm after a good one."

As students settle into the fall semester, Callahan acknowledged the challenges his golfers face in balancing academics, athletics and other campus responsibilities. Still, he believes the team's depth and resilience will be key as the season progresses.

The Trailblazers return to competition Sept. 7 at the Fall Cougar Classic, where Callahan said the focus will be on staying competitive in a conference that includes three of the nation's top eight programs. He expects continued leadership from the sophomore class and steady improvement from his freshmen.


Written by Alexandra Dunn, Athletics Social Media Coordinator