The MATC Stormers Men’s Golf Team recently completed its season by playing in the NJCAA Division III Region IV Golf Tournament at the Prairie View Golf Course in Byron, IL. October 7 – 9. The tournament was won by Rock Valley College of Rockford, IL.The team, which played its home matches at Blackstone Creek Golf Club, is coached by Coach Troy Schmidt, a PGA professional and co-owner of Blackstone Creek, and Assistant Coach Charles Kimbrough.

The Stormers’ leading scorer for the tournament was Sam Giancola with a 72-hole score 273. He was followed by GePor Yang, 280; Andy Otis, 284; Randy Johnson, 286; and Tyler Johnson, 314. As Coach Schmidt indicated, these were very good scores for an inexperienced team in tough tournament conditions.

Although the Stormers did not place in the tournament or advance any players to the nationals, Coach Troy Schmidt said, “None of the players had played golf in high school, so it was a year in which we saw the players struggle with tournament experience. Golfing at this level of competition with no prior experience can be very difficult.”

In communications with Coach Schmidt, he indicated that he was very proud of the hard work and level of improvement his team displayed this season. All of his players put in the effort to improve and learn competitive tournament golf.

He is especially proud of second year players Sam Giancola and Randy Johnson. “Sam and Randy were the two [second] year players on the team and both represented the school well.

“I am very proud of both players and how they improved from the start of last season to this year,” Coach Schmidt commented. Since they will both be leaving the team this year, he extended his thanks for their dedication to the program.

According to Coach Schmidt, the squad had its best showing of the year when it played in

the UW-Sheboygan Wombat Open at the Bull Run GC at Pinehurst in Sheboygan, WI on September 28.

In addition to the Wombat Open and the Regional Tournament, the squad had a very busy schedule. It played in a total of nine tournaments in just six weeks. Other matches included the Rock Valley College Invitational, the MATC Invitational, IVCC Invitational, Skyhawk Invitational, Madison College Invitational, and the College of DuPage Invitational.

Season averages for the players were: Sam Giancola, 85.9, Andy Otis, 92.5, GePor Yang, 92.5, Randy Johnson, 93.5, and Tyler Johnson, 102.8.

Coach Schmidt indicated that considering the lack of tournament experience, his players did very well. He said, “It is one thing to go out and shoot a score in practice or with your friends at the local course, but to play good tournament golf a player really has to understand how to score.”

Schmidt looks forward to a strong and competitive season next year. He said, “I am excited about the improvement of the returning players for next season as well as a couple of recruits that have high school tournament experience. That is what this year’s squad lacked.”

Students interested in playing Stormers Golf can go to http://matc.edu/athletics and click on the SIGN up for Sports tab. The NJCCA and Stormers sponsor women’s golf as well as men’s golf programs.