News

Spencer Denney doesn’t say much on the golf course. He doesn’t need to. His game — steadier, sharper and more mature than it was a year ago — has started speaking for him. 

The Battle Creek native and Montcalm Community College sophomore was named the MCCAA Northern Conference Player of the Week for Sept. 27–Oct. 5 after topping the leaderboard at the Hawks Invitational at the Riverview Highlands Golf Course with a 1‑under round, leading MCC to a team‑record 292 and the tournament title. It was the kind of performance that confirmed what Denney and his coaches already knew — he’s trending toward another level. 

“It felt good to play well because I’ve been putting in a lot of work,” Denney said. “It was good to see a round come together and the practice pay off.” 

Denney’s rise hasn’t been accidental. He’s spent the past year reshaping his approach — not just practicing but learning how to practice. 

“If you talked to him about it, he would say he learned how to practice correctly,” MCC head coach Doug Harkema said. “His golf swing is better and his short game is 10 times better. Putting, chipping, shots around the green — night and day since last year.” 

Denney said the key at Riverview was staying in the present. 

“I think we did a better job of not getting caught up in the score,” he said. “We focused on executing each shot.” 

His own method is simple — treat every swing the same. 

“For me, I try to treat every shot the same and just focus on my pre‑shot routine and my process.” 

That mindset helped him avoid the trap that often derails young golfers — tightening up when a good round is unfolding. 

“I learned and did a better job of continuing to play well while having a good round going,” he said. “Not getting nervous because I had a good round going.” 

A multi‑sport foundation 

Before MCC, Denney was a standout at Harper Creek High School — a three‑time First Team All‑Conference golfer who helped the Beavers win back‑to‑back league titles. He won two major tournaments — the All‑City championship as a sophomore with a 74, and the St. Phillip Invitational as a senior with a 73. 

He also played basketball, helping Harper Creek to a conference championship while earning Honorable Mention All‑Conference honors.  

Harkema said that background matters. 

“He’s 6‑foot‑3, a dual‑sport athlete, and he loves the guys he plays with here,” Harkema said. “His attitude toward the game is exactly the same as mine, with a basketball team mentality. He says the same things I say to the team. He’s a great kid.” 

Denney said golf hooked him early. 

“I started golfing when I was little, but I started really taking it seriously my freshman year of high school,” he said. “My dad got me into it.” 

Denney stuck with it because of the challenge, and it’s that challenge that continues to motivate him on the golf course today. 

“I like golf because it is a really hard sport and it tests you mentally, which I think can help in life,” he said. “My favorite part is the feeling of playing good after practicing a lot.” 

A player growing into his potential 

Denney’s biggest improvement this season has come off the tee — an area he struggled with last year. 

“I’ve worked hard on a lot of parts of my game,” he said. “But off the tee, I have improved a lot. I really struggled there last year and I’ve seen significant improvements so far.” 

Harkema said Denney’s progress is obvious. 

“He’s on the right path to getting to another level,” Harkema said. “He’s all in. He shows up ready to play. He’s smart, he works constantly on his full swing and a ton on his short game. It’s going to be fun to see where he ends up.” 

Denney’s consistency is starting to show. Even on a tough course with tough wind recently, he finished second. 

“To me that was a good backup to what we had just done,” Harkema said. “If that was regionals, we would’ve qualified for the national championship.” 

Team culture and what comes next 

Denney said MCC’s team environment has helped him grow. 

“It’s been good because I think we have a really good group of guys this year and everyone gets along well,” he said. 

A team trip to Boyne earlier this season helped cement that bond. 

“I feel like we bonded pretty well on that trip,” he said. “It was good spending a couple of days with the guys.” 

Denney is studying business management and hopes to continue his golf career at a four‑year university after MCC. 

“I would like to go play another two years at another school after my sophomore year,” he said. “To get to that next level I need to continue to improve off the tee and improve with my wedges.” 

For now, he’s focused on the same thing that carried him through Riverview — the next shot. 

“It feels good to be a college athlete because it shows that I have put the work into getting to where I’m at,” he said. “I hope to continue to better my golf game while at MCC.”