2007 Men's Golf Season Preview
The 2007 men's golf season is around the corner.
Second-year head coach James Bowen is excited about the team's potential. "We have a good shot at winning some tournaments and the conference championship," said coach Bowen. "We have good returning crew and some new freshmen who will make a positive addition to the golf team."
The men's team is coming off a solid year in which they finished third at the AMCC Championships, hosted by Lake Erie, after placing as the league's runners-up the year before. In addition the blue and white captured the Behrend Invitational championship staying in front of 13 other squads to claim its home invitational.
Leading the Behrend Lions this season will be senior Dave Kostanich (Jefferson Hills/Thomas Jefferson). Kostanich, the 2005 AMCC Player of the Year, led the team as low scorer in three events over the 2006-07 seasons and will be relied upon again this fall. Juniors William Weeks (Pittsburgh/North Hills) and Jonathen Arrigo (Erie/Mercyhurst Prep) will also be counted on to push the squad. Sophomores Pat Petraglia (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley), Michael Sabolcik (Eri/McDowell), and Joseph Nelson all return for another season on the links.
First-year golfers on the 2007 men's squad include Bradley Alayon (Coraopolis/Moon), Kevin Chelak (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell), Rene Menjivar (Corry/Corry), Marc Neiswonger (Warren/Warren), and Eric Thompson (North East/North East). Craig Skuse (Oil City/Oil City) is a transfer from Mercyhurst North East Junior College.
"I am very excited about our incoming players on the team," said coach Bowen. "They have all had consistently low scores in tryouts and should make a real impact in their first year."
The schedule will be competitive as always. This year a road trip to Ohio will open the season at the Lake Erie Fall Shootout, followed by the annual Behrend Invitational at Peek n' Peak on September 20. Other highlights include the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championships at Tom's Run Golf Resort on October 5-6, hosted by Pitt-Greensburg. The Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships will be held at Penn State Altoona on October 14-15 at Wildwood Golf Course in Pittsburgh.
"The goal is for continuous improvement throughout the season," said coach Bowen. "After a disappointing season last year, I am looking forward to putting a competitive squad on the links for fall season 2007. Look for Behrend men’s golf to provide some points towards the AMCC Presidents' Cup!"