Sept. 22, 2003
This Week: The Saint Mary's men's golf team will open its fall season when they travel to Moscow, ID to participate in the 2003 Vandall Fall Classic from September 26-27 at the University of Idaho Golf Course.
Leading The Program: Entering his fourth season at the helm of the Saint Mary's men's golf program is head coach Scott Hardy, who has the Gaels coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent memory. With five top-5 team finishes and six top-10 finishes last year, the team overcame inexperience and a lengthy schedule to consistently contend for top honors. Highlighted by Saint Mary's victory at the Santa Clara Men's Invitational, where the team defeated host Santa Clara on the second playoff hole, the Gaels can now be considered a threat for the WCC title.
Looking to Contribute: Aside from the team's collective successes, many individuals contributed solid performances that will constitute higher expectations for the upcoming season. Junior Joe Lanza (Bainbridge Island, WA), comes off a stellar year in which he was named to the 2003 All-WCC First Team. En route to tying for fourth place at the 2003 WCC Championships where he posted a tournament total 216 (Even). Lanza also made the record books by shooting the two lowest rounds in school history, both 66's, during the second rounds of the 2002 Vandal Fall Classic and UCSB Invitational. Team captain, Brent Jensen (Hinside, IL), should also prove to be an invaluable member of the team with his leadership both on and off the course. Jensen's 76.4 stroke average was third on the team last year. Junior Liam Kendregan (Gresham, OR) is another solid player coming back for the Gaels. Kendregan finished last year with the second best scoring average on the team (74.9) and three top-20 individual finishes. Over the course of the summer, Kendregan even kept up his playing level by qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. In addition to the returning players, Hardy is also looking forward to a group of potentially solid newcomers.
New Faces: Hardy has assembled a group of newcomers that include state and sectional champions from Oregon and Nevada. Robert Massi (Henderson, NV) and Chadd Cocco (Bend, OR) are two players looking to make and immediate impact after each won championships in high school. On an already competitive team Colorado State transfer, Dana Wade (Las Vegas, NV), is also looking to make a impact with his experience and leadership.
Next Event: The Saint Mary's men's golf team's next tournament will be the Wolf Pack Classic in Reno, NV from October 6 to October 7.
