The two-day, 54-hole meet begins with 36 holes of action at Mules National Golf Course Monday with a final 18 holes of action slated for Tuesday (Sept. 10). The competition is one of two MIAA designated meets the Gorillas will take part in during the fall portion of the 2024-25 season.

First-year head coach Nick Long will lead his alma mater into the meet after being hired to help restart the program following a 10-year absence in February. Pitt State suspended the golf program following the 2013-14 season.

“I am excited, along with the players, to open the season and play outside competition,” said Long, who played for the Gorillas from 2000-03. “Everyone has been working extremely hard in practices and qualifiers leading up to this meet. Now it’s time to go compete.

“Mules National is a great course. The MIAA is a very challenging conference in men’s golf as it is for every sport. We’re ready to get after it from the first tee shot to the last putt and see how we can fare.”

Long will look to a quartet of veterans – graduate Carson Towey, juniors Theo Juhl and Mason White and sophomore Keaton Thissen – to lead Pitt State in the season-opening meet. Freshman Tyler Hardtarfer also is slated to make his Pitt State debut Monday.

Towey joined the Gorillas from Ottawa University. The Wichita native was a two-time All-Conference performer for the Braves, earning first-team All-KCAC honors in 2024.

Juhl (Garden City, Kan.) came to Pitt State after two seasons at Dodge City Community College, while White (Rowlett, Texas) spent the past two seasons at Hesston College. White garnered first-team NJCAA All-America honors last year, placing eighth overall at the National Championships.

Thissen (Davenport, Iowa) came to Pitt State from Hutchinson Community College. He helped the Blue Dragons qualify for the NJCAA National Championships last year.

Hardtarfer (Goddard, Kan.) enjoyed a decorated prep career at Eisenhower, placing among the top 20 individuals at the Kansas Class 5A State Championships in both 2022 and 2023.

“I think the the upperclassmen have all been great in bringing their collegiate experience and helping tempering the young guys as far as knowing what to expect for competition,” Long said.

“Carson has the most experience as a graduate transfer, he’s the ‘glue’ guy on the team. He doesn’t say a lot but he’s very consistent and he’s calm and collected on the course.

“Mason comes in with high expectations. He’s a leader who will do and say all the right things. He can grind on the course and post low scores.

“Theo is someone who if he gets hot with the putter can really shoot low scores. He’s a great character and someone up keeps the mood light.

“Keeton leads by example. He knows how to grind and push his teammates. He has the leadership to do special things.

“Tyler has a great deal of natural talent. He’s someone who can have a tremendous four years ahead of him. I have high hopes for him to do special things.”