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After posting a school-record round and competing at one of the most iconic courses in American golf, the Montcalm Community College Centurions men's golf team enters the offseason believing it has established a strong foundation for a spring championship run. 

Centurions head coach Doug Harkema said the fall schedule provided plenty of evidence that the Centurions are moving in the right direction, even as the team continues to search for more consistency from event to event. 

"I think there's a lot of positives out of this season," Harkema said. "We shot a school record in there. Can't overlook that. I do think our consistency, if we can address that over the winter, I'd be happier with that. This season was a little bit more up and down than I'd like." 

The Centurions' highlight of the fall came Sept. 28, when they recorded a school-record team score of 292 while winning the Hawks Invitational by 11 strokes. The performance was part of a stretch in which MCC began playing more consistently after an up-and-down start to the season. 

For freshman Dominic DeMello (Holt, Mich.), the season represented both personal growth and a chance to become part of a close-knit team. 

"My first season went really well," DeMello said. "I like and get along with everyone on the team, and I really enjoy hanging out with everyone." 

MCC wrapped up its fall schedule with tournaments at the Oakland Community College Invitational on Oct. 9, the Cornerstone University Fall Invitational on Oct. 12 and the Lawrence Technological University Whistling Straits Classic on Oct. 19. 

At the Cornerstone Invitational at Thousand Oaks Golf Club, the Centurions finished sixth in a competitive 10-team field with a 28-over score. Calvin College won the event at 14-over, followed by Cornerstone at 16-over and Lawrence Tech at 20-over. 

DeMello paced MCC, tying for eighth place individually at 4-over par. Sophomore Chase Couchman of Holly tied for 11th at 5-over, while freshman Jackson Howe (Brandon, Vt.) tied for 31st at 9-over. Sophomore Landon Elder of Louisville, Kentucky, tied for 38th at 10-over and sophomore Spencer Denney of Battle Creek tied for 52nd at 13-over. 

"We played solid there," Harkema said. "There were some guys that just had some unbelievable rounds that we just couldn't overcome. That for us, though, was solid. It could've been better, but you can say that with any golf round." 

Part of DeMello's success stemmed from improvements he made throughout the fall season, particularly on the greens. 

"I was really happy with my driver and short game," DeMello said. "It stayed consistent all year. I've been practicing really hard on my putting and getting that more dialed in to decrease my number of putts, and it has showed in the last couple matches. I am very happy and proud of all the work I've put in on the green." 

A week later, MCC had the opportunity to compete at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, a world-renowned course that has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and the 2021 Ryder Cup. 

Facing one of the strongest fields and most demanding courses on its schedule, MCC placed 16th with a 39-over score. Taylor University won the tournament at 1-over, followed by Pikeville at 8-over and Grand Rapids Community College at 9-over. 

DeMello again led the Centurions, tying for 40th place at 7-over. Couchman tied for 47th at 8-over, Denney finished 64th at 11-over, Elder tied for 74th at 13-over and Howe placed 81st at 14-over. 

For Harkema, the results were secondary to the experience. 

"Whistling Straits is one of the toughest courses in America," he said. "It's like a bucket-list course for us. Our school allowing and encouraging us to play in some of those big events like that is awesome for our program." 

The experience left an impression on DeMello as well. 

"It was one of the coolest experiences ever and I really enjoyed it," he said. "I also was very happy with my game. I was a little bummed that the second day got fogged out, but I'm still very glad and thankful I got to play it." 

Harkema said competing at nationally recognized venues has become an important part of the program's growth. 

"From where we started four or five years ago and then playing in Pinehurst and multiple school events and then ending up at an iconic golf course, it's a wonderful experience for our players," he said. "It helps with recruiting." 

Individually, Harkema was especially pleased with the development of DeMello and Howe throughout the fall season. Earlier this year, Harkema called DeMello one of the team's biggest surprises, and the freshman continued to validate that assessment by routinely posting some of MCC's best scores. 

"Dominic was very, very good for his first semester," Harkema said. "Rock solid for him. Jackson Howe, as well. You knew what you were getting from him." 

Harkema praised DeMello's work ethic and steady approach. 

"Dominic is someone you can just let go and do his thing," he said. "He's an extremely hard worker. He plays his game." 

Despite not reaching every goal, Harkema believes the Centurions are positioned to compete when conference and regional play arrives in the spring. 

"If you asked if our fall season was a success, I would say yes," he said. "It could've been better and it could've been worse." 

Harkema said Denney pointed out to him that the team's scoring average this fall was lower than that of a previous MCC squad that went on to place 16th at nationals, a sign that the program's expectations continue to rise. 

"I think we created a monster a little bit, raising expectations," Harkema laughed. "Everyone is recruiting better in our conference, but we're right there. We'll have a shot at it in the spring, and that's all you can ask for. We'll work like crazy to be more consistent. That's really the only thing we're lacking."