The 2009 Behrend Lions golf season is about to begin and fourth-year head coach James Bowen has high hopes about what the squad can achieve this year.
"The Behrend golf team has the potential to be the best team I have ever coached," said 2008 Coach of the Year Coach Bowen. "I have four seniors and all will contribute to the outcome of our season." There will also be several underclassmen that will compete day in and day out to earn a spot in the line-up entering the 2009 season. To go along with the four seniors, the team will see two sophomores and five newcomers to begin the 2009 campaign.
The Behrend golf team is lead by four very talented seniors. Joe Nelson (Warren/Warren) returns for his senior season and is the team captain. The team will rely on Nelson for leadership as well as low scores as he has done throughout his career at Behrend. Last year, Nelson lead Behrend with low scores in three out seven total events and was individual medalist at the AMCC Championships. Nelson was also voted on by his teammates as last season's Most Valuable Player. Anthony Mortillaro (Richboro/Brighton), who was voted Most Improved Player in 2008, Pat Petraglia (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley) and Marc Neiswonger (Warren/Warren) are also seniors who will be counted on for their talent as well as their leadership abilities.
The sophomore class includes a pair of skilled golfers who will be looked at to contribute right away. Kevin Koerbel (Gibsonia/Deer Lakes), who was voted by teammates as Rookie of the Year, returns with a year under his belt and looks to carry over the success that he had last season. Koerbel garnered second team All-AMCC honors last fall. Kyle Meehl (North East/North East) rounds out the sophomore class.
The loss of 2008 team captain Jonathon Arrigo leaves a place on the team that a newcomer could potentially fill. The freshman class includes Byron Doll (Wexford/North Allegheny), Alec Italiano (Greensburg/Hempfield), Dan L'Herbier (Gibsonia/Deer Lakes), Anthony Mangano (Gibsonia/Pine Richland) and Zack Polanski (Erie/Cathedral Prep). This group appears to be talented freshman who could make an impact on the upcoming season.
Behrend continues to look to add depth and experience to the women's program. Sophomore Andrea Schlaufman (Erie/McDowell) returns for her second season as the only women representing the Behrend Lions team.
The 2009 schedule looks to be demanding once again with a number of tough road trips to go along with a number of competitive tournaments. A road trip to Pitt-Bradford on September 5 will open the season for the blue and white before traveling to Penn State Altoona on September 18. The Behrend Lions will host the annual Behrend Invitational on September 24 and is sure to see very tough competition. "We hold our invitational at Peak n' Peek on the upper course. This will prove a great test for all who participate as the course used to host a Nationwide Tour event," stated Coach Bowen.
Other notable schedule highlights include a two-day Allegheny Invitational on September 21 and 22. Road trips to La Roche, Pitt-Bradford and Penn State Altoona have Coach Bowen excited to see what his player can do under tough circumstances. Even with playing a tough schedule, Coach Bowen sees a potential for greatness with the 2009 squad.
"The guys this year seem to all mesh and work together. Even through my tryouts, these guys seemed to jell and really got to know each other," Coach Bowen stated. "I am sure we will be a contender for the league title this year."
