Promises Kept: Golf's Wes Spillers Earns National Recognition
Just a year ago, he thought his hopes of playing collegiate golf were dashed. A few months later, Wes Spillers signed with Cleveland State. "I had given up on golf," said Spillers. "I had written it off because I thought I would never have the chance to play again. Coach [Miles] Moseley, along with Athletic Director Mike Policastro, took a risk on me."
Now, after posting one of the best seasons since the golf program was revitalized in 2017, Wes Spillers posted two more program firsts that continue to build on that incredible resume. Spillers found out he was named to both the PING NJCAA Division II All-American Team as an honorable mention and was also named a PING NJCAA Division II All-East Region member.
Head Coach Miles Moseley saw this coming months before. He and the freshman golfer set commitments before Spillers ever teed off in his first collegiate tournament for the Cougars. "I made a promise on [Coach Moseley and Coach Poli's] risk that I would become the best student-athlete I could be. Along with that promise came one more from Coach Moseley. He promised I would get to nationals and I would become an All-American."
Though the disappointment of Golf's season coming to a halt due to the COVID-19 virus looms large, Spillers says these promises are something that gives him comfort. "Although our season was cut short before nationals, I do hold my head up high on the fact that I kept my promise to them both."
And kept his promise he did. Spillers was named to two different All-Tournament teams and was the team's top finisher in all of their tournaments this season. He had three total top 10 finishes, including a top five finish at the Eagle Invitational on Oct. 28-29, and also broke program records for lowest individual round score and lowest two-day total. Spillers was also ranked as high as 16th in the country on the NJCAA's Individual Rankings leaderboard. Despite all the decoration he's earned this year, he remains humble.
"I would not be here if not for the Cleveland State family that I have grown to be a part of, my teammates who push me to be a better man & player everyday, and of course the sacrificial time of Coach Moseley and Coach Evans put forth this entire year on and off of the golf course."
Policastro also expressed pride in Spillers and all he has done this season, "I want to congratulate Wes on this outstanding recognition. With the season being cut short, to have the year he had, is a credit to his ability and the ability Coach [Miles] Moseley. To be named to these teams is quite an honor. We look forward to seeing what he can do next year when he has a full season."
Stay tuned to cscougars.com for more updates on the 2020-21 Golf season.
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