Matthis Besard reflects on success

Matthis Besard arrived to Southern Illinois with high expectations as a freshman. A year and a half later, he has not only exceeded those expectations, but inserted himself into the Saluki men's golf record book.

The journey began for the Oudenaarde, Belgium native just one week prior to the start of the 2018 fall semester. It was his first time ever stepping foot onto campus, along with his first time in the United States. Three weeks later, Besard was set to compete at the Fuzzy Zoeller Invitational, the opening event of the 2018-19 golf season.

Against the 70-man tournament field, Besard led wire-to-wire after shooting a first-round score of 66 (-6) to claim the tournament title at 9 under-par.

"It was pretty crazy and I didn't expect it," Besard said. "I felt confident about my game, but with your first college tournament, you don't really know what the level of play is. I happened to play one of the better weeks I've ever had. I played really well and just scored really good. I couldn't have started my college career better than that."

Besard struggled after winning his first-career collegiate tournament, as he failed to shoot below par in the next seven tournaments. However, he elevated his game towards the back end of the season with a pair of top-10 and under-par finishes.

"I think I had to gain a little maturity," Besard said. "It was the first time being on my own. I had to take care of everything myself. Coach (Justin Fetcho) does a great job of keeping everyone accountable and making sure that you take care of the little things. I struggled with that in the first semester. I had to grow into that mentality of doing what you have to do everything single day and making sure you do those small things right."

Besard's most notable finish in the spring came at the 2019 MVC Championships, where he placed fifth overall at even-par. The finish was crucial to the Salukis winning their second conference title in school history and earning a trip to the Louisville NCAA Regional.

"When I found out that we were going to win conference by 15 shots on the 18^th green, I couldn't care if I was winning by 10 shots or losing by 20 shots individually," Besard said. "I can remember the team was standing behind the 18^th green and we all started cheering each other on. It was one of the better experiences I've ever had."

Besard's impressive play earned him MVC Newcomer of the Year. He was the lone freshman to earn first-team conference honors as well.

Now a sophomore, Besard taken on a leadership role with to the departure of three senior golfers from last year's squad. Through six tournaments this season, he ranks second on the team in stroke average (72.77) and is tied for first in total rounds (18). Most recently, Besard shot a team-best 1 under-par (212) at the Ka'anapali Collegiate Classic.

The success has translated to the current lowest stroke average in program history (72.52). Additionally, Besard is third all-time in season stroke average (72.40 // 2018-19) and seventh in career rounds in the 60's with seven.

Besard has continued to set the bar high with a full semester of golf ahead this spring.

"I have high expectations for myself this season," Besard said. "I can't make the same mistakes I did during my first semester last year. I have to take care of the little things, take things week-by-week and try to get better every day. Whether I win four tournaments or no tournaments, it is what it is. I just want to work hard every single day and get better."

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