The RoundHouse | 8/24/2022 2:33:00 PM

Mike McCoy's golf library consists of around 2,000 books. He is a golfer who appreciates the sport's grand history.
 
This year, McCoy is busy making his own kind of golf history.
 
In March, he was named captain for the United States 2023 Walker Cup team. In July, McCoy won the British Senior Amateur title at Royal Dornoch Golf Club in Scotland. This week, he plays in the U.S. Senior Amateur at The Kittansett Club in Marion, Mass.
 
McCoy, who golfed at Wichita State from 1981-85, continues to set goals, work on his game and add to his resume as an internationally successful amateur. Winning the British Senior Amateur is one of those highlights.
 
"The Royal Dornoch Club has always been known as one of the top 10 golf courses in the world," he said. "That's nice to win on a true championship golf course."
 
Teammate Dave Henson saw all those characteristics during their time together as Shockers. McCoy approached the game in an inquisitive way even early in his career while, Henson, said not overthinking his play.
 
"Mike would literally try anything on the golf course," Henson said. "I saw him, in college tournaments, go through two or three different putting grips, stances, positions in a tournament round. Nobody does that. He was always willing to try something right in the middle of the round. That's what made him so good."
 

McCoy, 59, set winning the Senior British Amateur as his goal after fellow Iowan Gene Elliott, his close friend, won it in 2021. With that performance as a guide, McCoy knew he was capable. He shot a 3-over-par 283, including a third-round 69, to win by seven strokes.
 
"I played great under very difficult weather conditions," he said. "When you think about it – it's cold and windy in Wichita a lot of the year. Probably some of my success can probably be traced back to the cold windy days I played in right at the university course on 21^st St."
 
McCoy will captain the Walker Cup team at the Old Course at St. Andrews, which is about 200 miles from Royal Dornoch. He scouted St. Andrews to prepare for the Walker Cup, which pits a 10-man team of amateurs from the USA against teams from Great Britain and Ireland.
 
As non-playing captain, McCoy has a voice in selecting the team and sets pairings and lineup for the tournament.
 
"That's probably the biggest honor I've ever received," he said. "For an amateur golfer to get the opportunity to do that, to captain the American team, it's a great honor. Big responsibility. It's a lot of getting to know people and, ultimately, have a gameplan for how we're going to attack the match."

McCoy played on the 2015 Walker Cup team. He won the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, which earned him a spot in the 2014 Masters. He recorded the low scores for an amateur in the 2014 and 2015 U.S. Opens.
 
At Wichita State: McCoy finished in a tie for second in the 1984 Missouri Valley Conference tournament, leading the Shockers to the title. He earned All-MVC honors in 1984 and 1985.
 
Update us on your current location and life status: I live in Des Moines and work for Gallagher Risk Management Investment Service.
 
What was your major at Wichita State? Bachelor of General Studies in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
 
Why did you choose Wichita State?
 
I was recruited to play golf by (coach) Al Littleton.
 
Besides the sport you played as a Shocker, what was your favorite sport?
 
I follow college football and basketball.
 
Who was your favorite professor at Wichita State?
 
Mel Kahn in the political science department. He was a very good instructor. He would dress in the dress of the philosopher or figure he was trying to teach about. It was really interesting.
 
Which teammate helped your adjustment to college life?
 
Dave Henson. He was going through the same thing I was and we had somebody to lean on. We were both freshmen.
 
What are your favorite memories from college athletics?
 
I won the Memphis State Intercollegiate in Memphis in 1984. That was fun day. You don't forget those victories.
 
What advice would you give to a person starting their athletics career in college?
 
Work hard. Be passionate about it.
 
What book you would recommend to current college students?
 
"The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed and Happiness," by Morgan Housel

Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. "Catching up" is a regular feature highlighting former Shockers. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.