CLINTON, Iowa - A quick look at the 2010 Ashford University men's golf roster reveals a number of unfamiliar names mixed in with only two returners from last year's roster. But a little closer look shows a new head coach taking over the reins of the program ready to turn the program into a Midwest Collegiate Conference contender.

A coaching change brings Josh Heiple to lead the Saints on the links, beginning today as Ashford heads to Lacoma Golf Course in East Dubuque, Ill., for the Early Fall Invitational.

"I am excited and more importantly our players are excited to get this program where it should be," said Heiple of his team."We have had some really good practice sessions during this entire preseason and I am excited by what I have seen thus far."

Heiple, a former collegiate player at the University of Northern Iowa and coach at Glen Oaks Community College (Mich.), takes over a roster of eight golfers in which only juniors Justin Fritz and Duncan Forgery return from last season.

"All of the newcomers will be key because they will be the first group that has to establish what this program will be about going forward," explained Heiple. "They need to buy in to my expectations this year because they will be setting the example for each incoming class that follows."

This year's roster will include a quartet of transfers, including juniors John Staranko and Kyle Peterson with sophomores Alex Hesser and Tyler Murphy.

Staranko and Hesser each transfer to Ashford having played last season at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Ill. Prior to playing for the Skyhawks, Staranko and Hesser each led their respective high school teams to conference championships during their senior seasons.

Black Hawk Community College transfer Peterson and University of Northern Iowa transfer Murphy will also look to continue their past successes on the course this year for the Saints, as Peterson was a four-time All-Conference selction at DeWitt High School and Murphy was an Illinois state qualifier during his senior season at Alleman High School in Rock Island, Ill.

In addition to the transfers and returners, a pair of freshmen will hit the links for the Saints this season as well.

A four-time All-Conference and All-Area selection at Prairie Heights High School, Indiana product Casey Anderson will look to continue his winning ways as a member of the Saints roster. Another freshman, Glen Hostens, helped Moline High school capture a regional championship last season, and will look to have his talents translate into the college game.

Absent from this season's roster is Nac Huachai, who earned All-MCC accolades last season a freshman. Losing the best player from a year earlier may be a tough transition, but Heiple feels that this year's team has a solution.

"I am hoping we can replace Nac by having depth," Heiple said. "This year we have six guys that are capable of playing really good golf.That hasn't been the case in years past."

Heiple also feels that success in his first season at the helm of the Ashford golf program won't necessarily have to be measured in wins, but in changing the focus of the team.

"I think a successful first season will be measured more in attitude and having these guys help lay the ground work for this program," Heiple said. "We talked in our first meeting that our focus should be driven towards one tournament and that is the MCC Championships.Everything from day one will be done in an effort to get better each day until the conference championship."

Following today's tee-off at the Early Fall Invitational, the Saints head to the Cropper Golf Classic at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion for a two-day tournament. Invitational meets at Clarke University and University of Dubuque close out the month of September before the Saints travel to LaCrosse, Wis., for the Ronnie Eastman Invitational at LaCrosse Country Club on Oct. 3-4. The final meet of the fall comes on Oct. 11-12 at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course in Riverside for the Statesmen Classic.