With one year under his belt as a head coach and resurrecting a program that had been on hold for over 30 years, Chris Watson is set to make some bold moves in 2010-11. After finishing last year with a diminishing roster due to injuries, Watson has brought in some talented new golfers that will put Judson on the map. Eight new golfers will join the four returners from last season for the move forward.

Headlining the recruiting class is transfer Lucas Mulholland (Mt. Vernon, Iowa) who comes in from Ashford University. Mulholland just won the Iowa PGA Junior Golfer of the Year and was Ashford's #2 golfer. Also joining Mulholland is Caleb Hess who was All-Conference in both years at Sauk Valley Community College and Scott Minta from the College of DuPage. Five new freshmen make up the recruiting class in Curtis Christensen (North Liberty, Iowa), Jeff Cohn (Hampshire, Ill.), Douglas Gordon (Chicago Heights, Ill.), Jonathan Schultz (Crystal Lake, Ill.), and Jordan Twidell (Walnut, Ill.)

Senior's Eric Suits (Elgin, Ill.) and Joe Caruso (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) lead the returners. Suits finished with an average stroke of 83.4 with his best round of 75 played in the fall of 2009. Caruso adds a 93.4 stroke average and twice had an 82 as his best round. Sophomore's Zach Gasior (Johnsburg, Ill.) and C.J. Kool (Eureka, Ill.) fill in the final two returners. Gasior had his best round in the spring 2010 of 80 and averaged 87.4 in stroke average. Kool finished with a stroke average of 87.1 and shot a 79 in the fall 2009.

Watson has many challenges ahead of him in the season but his team will be looking for the challenge.

Making an immediate impact on the team is freshman Katlyn Anderberg (Huntley, Ill.) and Katelyn Horgan (Crystal Lake, Ill.). Both McHenry County golf products that competed against each other in high school, they will now be on the same team and for the greater good of Judson. Anderberg brings plenty of high school hardware with her and is also a part of the Illinois Junior Golf Association with 16 top 5 finishes. Horgan was the 2010 McHenry County Individual Champion and helped Praire Ridge H.S. to the McHenry County Championship. Both golfers participated in the Solheim Cup when it was in Chicago and at the IHSA Sectional Tournament.

Coming from California, Devan Heupel (Manteca, Calif.) brings an all-around athletic ability to the team. She won eight letters in at East Union H.S. in volleyball, basketball, golf, and swimming. Transfer Rachelle Johnston transfers in from McHenry County College and had strong accolades at Richmond-Burton H.S. She was All-Conference and also medaled at the IHSA Regional Tournament.

Returning to complete the team is sophomore's Brittani Fisher (Castalia, Ohio), Rachael Bradley (Wheaton, Ill.), and senior Katherine Giggie (Roselle, Ill.) Fisher became the first female to medal for women's golf with a sixth place finish at the Augustana College Invitational. She also led the team with a stroke average of 97.8 and a best round of 88. Bradley finished with a 100.7 stroke average while Giggie had a 132.6 average.

With the combination of the newcomers, Chris Watson has a stronger foundation for the 2010-11 season that will keep moving Judson forward.

Bringing talent for both teams, head coach Chris Watson signed 12 new golfers combined for the men's and women's programs. Below is the list of awards for each golfer

How is the season shaping up for your team? - The season is shaping up very nicely. I am very excited about the talent we have this year. The returners have improved, the newcomers are adding a lot to the team. I am super excited about what JU golf is capable of this year.

In your second year, have you changed anything in your coaching style or for preseason? - Most of my coaching philosophy has remained the same from last year. I have added some new ideas and drillis into our practice regemin, but for the most part I am instilling the same thoughts and ideas on hard work and practice.

Talk about some of your returners and what they mean to the team this year? - The returners are going to play a huge role this year. Eric Suits is going into his senior season with a new fire for the game. He is playing really well. Zach Gasior has worked really hard over the summer to step it up a notch. Brittani Fisher on the ladies side has done the same. She has a new outlook on her game and I am very excited about what we have going. These returners are going to get to see the fruits of what they helped create here with the golf program.

How is the CCAC shaping up? - The CCAC will be a battle again this year. I am sure St. Francis and Olivet will field very competitive teams again this year. With the recruiting we have done I am confident we can give these guys a run for their money this year.

What impact will your non-conference schedule have on your preparation for the CCAC? - The non-conference meets give us the opportunity to play against some very good programs. The majority of the teams we play are NAIA schools but we also get the chance to go up against some NCAA schools as well. This gives us a chance to play a lot of different courses and really hone our skills and shotmaking ability.