PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With just a few days before the Scarlet Knights men's golf team kicks off their spring season in sunny Puerto Rico at the Palmas del Mar Collegiate Invitational, head coach Rob Shutte and his team are eager to build on the foundation they laid in the fall.
 
After several impressive showings in the fall, the Scarlet Knights have established themselves as a tough competitor in a stacked Big Ten Conference. Now, the team sets sights on greater success in the spring, after an offseason full of hard work.
 
One of the most promising aspects of the team's outlook is the depth of young talent, complemented by strong leadership at the top. Shutte emphasized the strides made during the offseason, saying that the experience gained in the fall will pay off this spring.
 
"We've had a really good offseason of development," Shutte said. "We have a lot of young guys, and we had two freshmen that played in every tournament. But I'm looking forward to seeing our two seniors, who have had great off-seasons practicing."
 
One of those senior leaders is captain Weston Jones, who has been an important part of this Scarlet Knights squad in his 4 years with the program. Jones believes that his time with the program has made him a smarter, more strategic golfer who will undoubtedly serve as an example to the rest of the team.
 
"I've learned how to strategize my way through 18 holes in my time here," he said. "I've learned to play a little smarter and more calculated." With the spring season being his final collegiate season, he's focused on embracing every moment. "I'm not going to get overly disappointed in myself in my last couple of tournaments, I'm going to enjoy it."
 
Fellow senior captain Noah Kumar, also has his sights set on a successful season, leading this young Scarlet Knights team to big finishes.
 
"I think we can have a lot of top finishes as long as the guys keep doing what they're doing," Kumar said.
 
Kumar has had a strenuous journey as a Scarlet Knight, having stepped away from the team last season to address hit health.
 
"Once I got healthy, I played a bunch of professional golf as an amateur, and I got to see what it's like after school," Kumar said. "There are a lot of good players out there, and you have to find a way to stand out."


Captains Noah Kumar and Weston Jones

Now back with the Scarlet Knights, he's eager to showcase his progress and build upon some of his successes, most notably a top-25 finish at the White Sands Collegiate to end the fall season.
 
A key theme for the Scarlet Knights this offseason has been refining their approach, both mentally and physically after a grueling fall season. Several players pointed to improvements in course management, ball control, wedge work, and overall consistency.
 
For Derek Gutierrez, the fall season was a learning experience that will help him and the team take a step forward this spring.
 
"I think the fall season had lots of ups and downs, not only for me but as a team," Gutierrez said. "I think we took those moments, the good and the bad, and applied them to the offseason, and I think we're ready for the spring. I just expect us to put in 100% effort every day, I think that's the only thing you can control, and the outcomes just happen from there."
 
Argyle Downes, one of the team's many promising freshmen, set high individual goals while keeping the team's success at the forefront.
 
"I kind of just set the target high, hope to have a top ten, top-five finish, and do my part to help us get to where we want to be," Downes said.
 
Bennett Espenshade, another freshman on this young team, echoed a similar sentiment as his teammate Downes.
 
"I think I've learned a lot—how to play the tougher setups and worked on a lot of different shots that will let me access different pins, make fewer bogeys, and put up more consistent results." His offseason work has paid off, and he feels optimistic about the team's progress. "I feel great about where we are. Noah's playing great, Weston's put in a lot of good work, and all the guys are working super hard, and I think we're in a really good spot to have a great spring."


Derek Gutierrez and Argyle Downes

Another talented freshman, Max Jackson, is looking to seize the opportunity to play in his first collegiate events this spring.
 
"I've gotten a lot better since the fall," Jackson said. "I'm hoping to contribute and be another guy that can put a score up for us."
 
Beyond individual improvements, the team's competitiveness and support have been a major factor in their development. Shutte highlighted the importance of internal competition as a driving force for improvement.
 
"When you have a group of guys that compete against each other, iron sharpens iron, and guys push each other to be better."

In a slightly elongated offseason due to a postponed tournament due to the Florida hurricane, Shutte is eager to see what his team has to offer.
 
"Our tournament that got canceled because of the hurricane could end up being a blessing in disguise because we were able to punt that extra event to the spring so it gave us extra time to work during the season," Shutte said.

With a well-rounded mix of accomplished, senior leadership, talented underclassmen, and a strong offseason, the Scarlet Knights are looking to take the spring season head-on. Their first test comes this weekend, (February 9th-11th) in Puerto Rico at the Palmas del Mar Collegiate. Other upcoming events include the Colleton River Collegiate in Blufton, South Carolina (March 2nd-3rd) The Rutgers hosted Johnny-O at Sea Island, Georgia (March 17h and 18th), The Hootie in Charleston South Carolina (March 23rd-25th), and The Haskins to round out the season in Augusta, Georgia (April 5th).

Speaking on his expectations for the spring, Coach Schutte summed it up nicely. "I think it's to see the improvement," he said. 
 
"I think that's what sports and life all are about- do you get better, do you move forward from where you are, and if we do that, I think we'll have good results and a chance to make the postseason."