In sports, coaches are generally seen as daunting, authoritative figures with a high-profile, high-pressure position. For men’s golf coach Mark Leroux, it’s quite the contrary. He’d much rather stay loose and enjoy every aspect of his job.

Leroux has guided Missouri to 20 wins in his 12 seasons as head coach, while totaling more than 40 career victories at the college level. He began his tenure at Austin Peay, where he coached for seven seasons and led the Governors to three consecutive NCAA Regional berths.

He continued his success at Missouri, helping the Tigers separate themselves as perennial conference title contenders in both the Big 12 and the Southeastern Conference.

Leroux has a passion for the team and the university, and he expressed his appreciation for his time at Mizzou, as well as the impact Columbia has had on his family.

“Columbia as a city, a Midwest college town, is very attractive,” he said. “I came here with young kids, and it’s been a great environment for them to grow up.”

Leroux has accumulated 20 wins in his time with Mizzou. His players, including junior Hayden Buckley, make their appreciation for his coaching style known.

“Coach Leroux makes our golf experience better,” Buckley said. “He’s just a great personality for how we play. Golf can be a tense game at times, but he helps us lighten up. He’s really fun to be around at practice.”

The feeling is mutual. Leroux makes an effort to show his players the same respect and love of the game that they do.

“I think that I’m a player’s coach,” Leroux said. “I can be pretty loose with the guys and I’d describe myself as a bit of a larrikin.”

So far in the 2016-17 season, the Mizzou men’s golf team has already seen success, winning the season-opening Turning Stone Invitational in Verona, New York.

However, to Leroux, victory goes beyond just what happens on the course.

“It’s great to get a win to start the season,” Leroux said. “The tournament was designed to help us out more than anything. Going up to Verona and playing the New England schools who have not been as good in golf historically, mixed with talent such as Chattanooga, Toledo and a top-25 Texas A&M team was a great way to start the season. It showed what we are really capable of.”

In addition to winning, Leroux made it clear that he also takes a keen interest in seeing his players become successful in life after their time at Mizzou and seeing each player improve individually in their respective golf skills.

“We focus on the little things that make us better, and our measure of success goes beyond wins and losses in tournaments,” Leroux said. “It’s all about how much effort we put in. Specifically, we work hard on our short game, and will continue to do so.”

The “short game,” the part of golf concerned with approach shots and putting, played a key part in Mizzou’s season-opening victory. Buckley discussed the emphasis that Leroux places on short game specifically.

“It can be a little tedious working at the small things that seem tedious at times,” Buckley said. “But he’s proven worthy of our trust and he’s helped me personally improve as a golfer since I came to Mizzou.”

Leroux does not ease up when it comes to expectations of his players, however. He elaborated on the importance of his players being diligent student-athletes both on and off the course.

“First off, we get to every class and take care of business there,” Leroux said. “After that, we get to practice with focus and determination. We stay engaged while we are at practice, while also believing in each other and supporting each other. Ideally, these guys will develop these habits now and learn from the experience of playing and studying at Mizzou and go on to be successful in all their ventures in life.”

Leroux and his team will be back in action starting Sept. 25 at the Jackrabbit Invitational in Valentine, Nebraska.

_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com_