With eight returning student-athletes and a talented group of rookies, Bisons golf enter 2024 with a positive mindset.
 
The mature group are led by fifth-years Cole Peters and Trent Robertson, who know what it's like to compete in major golf tournaments.
 
They've been through the highs and lows of the sport (including 2023, helping the Herd make the cut at the Canadian University Championships for the first time in five years), and that experience will serve to benefit the Bisons this year.
 
"Younger me may have been quick to give up [if I had a bad score], but I know more about myself now, and I know how I can get through the bad golf," said Peters.
 
"I'm trying as hard as I can to prepare for this last season with whatever I've got. At the end of the day that's all I can do. I'm just going to try and enjoy the golf that I play."
 
Peters and Robertson both have top two finishes on their university resumes, while fourth-year Brent Ingram has finished in the top three at the Men's Amateur Championship.
 
Derek Benson was also on the Canadian University Championship roster last season, and Jack Riddick "hits the golf ball better than any of us wish we can hit a golf ball," according to Robertson.
 
Manitoba also welcomed three rookies to the roster, in Rory Neill, Tyler Polanski and Eric Prokopowich. The trio had impressive debuts at the Augsburg Invitational in Minnesota last weekend, led by Neill.
 
The true freshman was the top Bisons finisher during the university's season-opener, tying for 13^th. His score of 74 on day two tied for the best round of any golfer. Meanwhile, Robertson finished in a tie for 31^st with a total score of 159 over two days.
 
"Looking at the roster top to bottom, I think it's a good blend of experience and youth," said Robertson.
 
"[Prokopowich], I got to play against him in the Manitoba Match Play Championship and he's a very good player and a very good guy. I know the program's going to be in a good spot if he's going to be sticking around and doing his thing. Tyler and Rory, they're ready to go, everyone's ready to fight for their spot, it's exciting to see."
 
There's also a familiar face coaching the team, as program alum Devon Schade takes over the lead role from Derrik Goodwin.
 
Schade turned pro in 2019, and is also the Head Professional at Larters at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club. He won the 2020 and 2023 Manitoba PGA Assistants Championship, and was the Manitoba Amateur Golfer of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
 
"It is a healthy competition to want to bring out the best in each other, and I think this year, this team can do exactly that. Having Devon has our head coach, he's done it all," added Peters.
 
"He's basically won everything he played when he did, so there's a lot of knowledge we can get from him. He's been very open to giving that, and to not be too pushy, and waiting for his spots to give us some tips and tricks, and how to go through the motions of a tournament. He's definitely a big help to our team."
 
The Bisons continue their season this weekend in Bemidji, at the school's annual Invitational. It's the second of five events scheduled during the university campaign. Peters and Robertson in particular, are cherishing their last season together, taking countless lessons with them.
 
"You don't have to be perfect to shoot good golf scores. It doesn't matter what it looks like sometimes," said Robertson.
 
"It's realizing that, especially now, we have a bigger responsibility than just ourselves. We can't afford to be out there pouting because we didn't hit it exactly how we wanted to. It's more self-awareness on and off the golf course. I'm just a better person for it."