After a fourth place finish in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships last season, the Miami University golf team has been working hard throughout the summer to improve their position heading into the 2010-11 season.

Team leader Nathan Sutherland participated in the NCAA Regional competition in May finishing tied for 54th, and in the Sunnehanna Amateur tournament in June finishing tied for 36th.

"I played tournament golf from early June to early July, then I took some time off," Sutherland said. "I'm going to start playing again. I have three more tournaments before school starts. I'm gearing up for the season, working on some things, getting better."

As a team the 'Hawks have been inconsistent in the past. They look to improve mainly their short game from last season, finishing around the greens.

"From a physical standpoint, we need to get better around greens," Head Coach Casey Lubahn said. "Our short game held us back at the end of the year. I'm pretty sure all our guys know that and have put in time to do the work necessary to improve those areas."

This season begins Sept. 13 at the Marshall Invitational in Huntington, WV. The RedHawk golfers will then travel all over the country for tournaments, everywhere from Kentucky to Maryland and Florida to California before the holiday break.

"We have to become more consistent," Sutherland said. "The biggest key will be getting off to a good start. We haven't done that since I've been at Miami. Getting off to a good start sets the tone for the year. That will be our main priority, getting off to a good start."

While traveling, Lubahn hopes the team will follow in the footsteps of their leaders.

"We have really good leaders," Lubahn said. "We haven't had bad ones in the past, but we have two guys who have played a ton for us who will be seniors. We have some real experience in the lineup. Even though golf is an individual game, when you have role models, you have guys who know how to prepare and get it done on golf course, and it's going to make everyone better."

The 'Hawks are keeping positive mindsets heading into the upcoming season, and look to build upon their successes from last year.