University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet the Gopher Captains
9/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
The Golden Gophers selected three team captains before the 2015-16 season. The trio-senior Jon DuToit and juniors Jose Mendez and Grady Meyer-talked with GopherSports.com about the honor of being chosen, what they admire about each other and more.
Jon DuToit - Senior - Chaska, Minn.
Favorite Gopher golf memory: "Watching Jon Trasamar drain like a 50-footer on the last hole at Big Tens. For some reason that always sticks out."
Course he's looking forward to this year: "I really liked California when we've gone there. I'm hoping we play Mayacama. It's not a course we play for a tournament, but we go down there a day early."
Mendez on DuToit: "He's so calm when he plays golf. He doesn't get into emotions a lot. That's really good in golf, because sometimes you can get mad or something and your golf game just goes down. He does a really good job just staying calm and just staying positive."
Meyer on DuToit: "I love how he really doesn't care what people think. He doesn't let that affect what he does, on and off the golf course, which is something I really admire about him. He's Jon DuToit, and he doesn't let people sway who he wants to be."
Jose Mendez - Junior - San Jose, Costa Rica
Favorite Gopher golf memory: "Other than the Big Ten, it was qualifying for Regionals. I don't know when was the last time we qualified for Regionals, so it was a really fun trip. We went to a different course. We played against different teams. We had an extra day just to hang out. I think we went go-karting and mini-golfed. That was a really fun experience."
Course he's looking forward to this year: "There's a couple courses that we haven't played, so I'm just looking forward to playing new courses over the season."
DuToit on Mendez: "Jose's just a stud. It just seems like there's not really one shot that he can't hit. And he's always positive. It's just cool to see him be creative with everything that he does."
Meyer on Mendez: "Ever since freshman year, Jose and I have gotten along really well. On the course, the shot-making-he's so creative. Even practicing, trying different shots-who can hit it the highest, who can hit it the lowest. We're always having fun with whatever we're doing in practice.
Grady Meyer - Junior - Fargo, N.D.
Favorite Gopher golf memory: "I'd say (the NCAA Regional), especially since all three of us were on that trip. That and the Gopher Invitational, staying at Windsong and being with everyone together has been a lot of fun the past couple years, off the golf course."
Course he's looking forward to this year: "I'm pretty pumped for the Auburn tournament in the spring. That'll be cool. I think the Dallas trip will be fun because I know we're playing Colonial. That course hosts a PGA Tour event. We're playing that before our tournament starts."
DuToit on Meyer: "Grady and I live together. He talks to everyone. He makes sure everyone is included. He's just really fun to be around on and off the course."
Mendez on Meyer: "I love how on the golf course he's always smiling, even though sometimes something doesn't happen. Like on 14, I was watching the Gopher (Invitational). He hit a really good shot and it went over, and he stayed positive."
GopherSports: What does it mean to you to be selected as captains by your teammates?
JM: It means a lot. Being a captain for a Division I team is something really special for me, coming from outside the United States and being named by my teammates. It means I'm doing a great job with my teammates and having a great time. I'm really fortunate to be a captain for this team.
JD: I would say the biggest thing is just being able to set an example for the younger kids, to get them off on the right foot so they feel comfortable with everything and everyone, so one day they can be in the same shoes that we are.
GM: Jose and Jon touched on the good stuff. It means a lot that they trust us with that position-just being there, especially with the young guys like Jon was saying, if they need advice. Transitioning from high school to college is a big step, and that's one of the things we're here for, to help the young guys out with whatever they need.
GS: What does each of you bring as far as leadership, and what do you hope to contribute in your role as captain?
JM: I think we're the same. We're just trying to help the young guys. They always ask where the classes are or what they should bring for practice. I think we all will have the same type of leadership.
JD: I think we have three different personalities. We all bring a little bit of something different to the table. Grady's a little hyper. He likes to have fun, and it's awesome. I'm a little bit more laid back, and there for anything. Jose's good-spirited, always happy.
GM: I think it's a good blend. Jose's played really well his first couple years, and he brings that aspect to the captainship. Jon is a senior, most leadership on the team. I think he leads by example. For me, I'm just one of those guys who'll talk to anyone about anything.
GS: Having been around for two or three years, what are some things you liked about your past Gopher teams or some things you want to work on with the team this year?
GM: I think past years, last year especially, we were a really close team. We've been pretty close-knit. We do a lot of things together. Everything we do, we always see if everyone wants to join in, whether it be fun activities-bowling, for example-or just going out to dinner. We definitely want to make sure everything fits in nice, everyone gets along with everybody, everyone is there for each other.
JD: Just going off prior years, I know when I came in as a freshman, it just seemed like everyone was very mature for the position that they were in. So I would say trying to carry that over, just to make sure everyone is best prepared as they can be as far as a maturity standpoint.
Players Mentioned
