ON THE SPOT: Mike Cason

June 15, 2009 10:11 pm

— In the spring of 2001, Floyd Central High School hired a new coach to take over its already solid boys’ golf program.
That man was Floyds Knobs resident Mike Cason.
Since then, all he has done is make the program even stronger.
In his nine seasons as Highlanders coach, Cason has won eight sectional championships, which includes seven titles in a row, three regional crowns and back-to-back state championships.
Today and Wednesday, Cason will be guiding Floyd to its sixth IHSAA State Finals appearance in his Highlander tenure at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course in Franklin.
In its continuing “On The Spot” series, The Tribune caught up with Cason on Monday to discuss several topics like this week’s state finals, his collegiate golf career and just how good of a golfer he is.

• QUESTION: What would you consider a good finish for your team at this week’s state finals?
• MIKE CASON: “I think a good goal is to make the cut and make the second day. If we make the second day, it will give the players some confidence and a chance to finish in the top five in the state.”
• Q: After last year’s disappointing finish at the Seymour Regional, where you placed sixth and did not qualify for state, how motivated were your kids at last Friday’s regional to finish second and return to state?
• CASON: “Last year, we were a real young team with some players who had not played at the varsity level before. I thought we had a good year of experience last year. The kids played good the last two weeks and they got more confidence in their ability.”
• Q: Obviously, you have coached some great teams at Floyd. What sets this current group of kids apart from your other teams?
• CASON: “I consider this team a really, really talented group of players, but they do not have enough experience. They just need to play and get more experience.”
• Q: Eight sectional titles, seven sectional titles in a row, six state finals appearances, three regional titles and two state championships — did you think you would have this much success when you became the boys’ golf coach at Floyd?
• CASON: “I didn’t have any expectations when I became coach. I just stepped into the job. There is no secret in what we do. We just work hard and get experience.”
• Q: For the first time since 1993, two area teams — Floyd and Providence — are in the state finals. Is this a good indicator that boys’ golf in Southern Indiana is pretty strong right now?
• CASON: “It seems to be getting more interest (in Southern Indiana). I know at our school that we have lots of interest because of the state titles we have won. I can’t speak for the other schools. But when you look at the Evansville schools, Jasper and Columbus North, they always have good players. South of Indianapolis, that area produces solid golfers year after year.”
• Q: How did it come about you becoming Floyd’s coach?
• CASON: (In 2001), they had a gentleman set to do it, but then he couldn’t. I did some junior-high coaching when my kids went through school, so I decided to get into it.”
• Q: Did you always want to coach?
• CASON: “I’ve always enjoyed coaching. When my kids were young, I coached them in baseball, basketball and golf. I enjoy the kids for the most part. They keep you young.”
• Q: Rumor has it that you are a pretty good golfer in your own right. Just how good are you?
• CASON: “I don’t play as much anymore, but I’m a scratch golfer. I won the club championship at Valley View (Golf Club) about five or six times, and I played in all the (Indiana Golf Association) state tournaments. I played college golf for four years at Indiana State. I used to play on the local circuit, like at Old Capital (Golf Club in Corydon) and New Salisbury (Golf Course).”
• Q: What was your handicap when you played on a regular basis?
• CASON: “I was about a 2-3 handicap.”
• Q: Talk about your college career a little bit.
• CASON: “I had a chance to play at Purdue, but I decided to go to Indiana State. There was a young guy coaching at Indiana State at the time, so I decided to give him a chance and go there. I never got to the NCAA (Championships), but I was always in the top five on my team. It was an enjoyable experience.”
• Q: When did you pick up the game of golf?
• CASON: “When I was about 11 or 12 years old.”
• Q: How did you get interested in the sport?
• CASON: “When I was a kid, I worked at a golf course and in the pro shop. Plus when I was growing up, a golf pro lived across the street from me. I had friends in high school who I played with and it just took off from there.”
• Q: Who is your favorite golfer of all-time and why?
• CASON: “Jack Nicklaus — I just liked the way he carried himself. He handled things well mentally.”

MIKE CASON
• AGE: 53 (will be 54 in three weeks)
• RESIDENCE: Floyds Knobs
• HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER: West Lafayette (1973 graduate)
• COLLEGE ALMA MATER: Indiana State (1977 graduate, received master’s in business administration degree in 1979)
• OCCUPATION: Owns accounting and tax service firm in New Albany.

Photos

Mike Cason, shown here getting drenched by his team after winning the 2006 IHSAA State Title, has helped guide the Highlander program back to state after missing the tournament in 2008.