Penn State Altoona men's golf will look to add its sixth Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championship this spring, after a furious second day comeback in the 2019 AMCC Championship fell just short of the eventual champion, Pitt-Bradford.

The top of the Lions' lineup should once again be strong, led by seniors Jimmy Gillespie (Glen Mills, PA/Garnet Valley), Luke Hoffnagle (York, PA/Spring Grove), and Jacob Mrvos (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin). Gillespie averaged 79.7 in the 2019 fall season, which included a one-under par 71 at the Allegheny College Guy and Jeanne Kuhn Invitational – the first par-breaking round by a Lion golfer since 2007. At season's end, Gillespie took home first team All-AMCC honors. Hoffnagle started slowly in his junior campaign, but finished strong and earned third team All-AMCC recognition. He and Gillespie tied for third individually at the Mount Aloysius Invitational, shooting matching 76 scores. Mrvos fired a season-low 78 on two occasions, the Grove City and Penn State Behrend Invitationals. At Penn State Behrend, it was good enough to find Mrvos in a career-best tie for third.

"There is no doubt that Jimmy, Luke, and Jake will be looked on as leaders of our team this spring. As graduating seniors, there is no better way I can think of sending them off than to win an AMCC Championship and make a trip to the NCAA Tournament," said Tom Koehle, 15th-year head coach. "These three are our backbone and have been leaders over the last four years, both on the course and in the classroom. Given the uniqueness of this season, having strong senior leadership will no doubt be key to help the underclassmen adjust without much tournament time ahead of the AMCC Championship."

Filling out the lineup will be as competitive as ever, as one returner and three newcomers will vie for playing time through qualifying and tournament play. Among those is sophomore Ryan Marshall (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township).

"Ryan gained so much valuable time in the lineup last season, including tying for third at Penn State Behrend and earning his way into the lineup for the AMCC Championship," said Koehle.

Other strong contenders for time in the lineup will be sophomore transfer Andrew Ferguson (Altoona, PA/Tyrone) and freshmen Trey Heffelfinger (Mount Union, PA/Mount Union), and Gaige Orndoff (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg).

"Andrew and Trey were among two of the state's best over their high school years, both having qualified for the PIAA Tournament on multiple occasions, and both were individual champions of the Sunnehanna Wheeling Invitational. There is no doubt they will have a great impact on our program this spring and in the years to come. With more college tournament experience, I can only hope both will continue to work hard, improve, and do what they can to meet and exceed their potential," added Koehle. "Gaige was a leader in his high school program and possesses enough talent to make a move into the lineup at any point. He has also shown vast improvement from fall to spring practice. He will play in most of our spring events and gain valuable tournament experience, which is key. All three newcomers are respectful young men and enjoyable to be around. They will learn from our three seniors on what it takes to be the face of our program and set the standard of what is expected from Penn State Altoona golfers."

With the impact on scheduling during the pandemic, the Lions find themselves in a series of one-day tournaments before heading into the two-day AMCC Championship at a new venue this spring. 

The season will open with the Penn State Berks Invitational on Monday, March 29 at Foxchase Golf Club. The Lions will then head to Erie and Whispering Woods Golf Club on Saturday, April 3 for the Penn State Behrend James Bowen Invitational. On Wednesday, April 7, the Lions will travel to Toftrees Resort in State College for the Penn State Division III Challenge before hosting senior day at the Lions' home invitational at Sinking Valley Country Club on Saturday, April 10. 

The Lions will then look to add an AMCC Championship to their resume on Sunday, April 18 and Monday, April 19, with the winner earning the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship in May. This iteration of the AMCC Championship will be at Peak N' Peek Resort in Clymer, N.Y.

"We have grown so used to Avalon Lakes that a change of scenery may be welcome after seven years. Peak N' Peek is a tour proven golf course and should challenge the conference golfers," said Koehle.

The Lions will then wrap up the regular season with a tournament hosted by Mount Aloysius College at Summit Country Club on Saturday, April 24.

"Our season is all about building up to the AMCC Championships. We want to excel in the classroom – finishing the semester strong, preparing at practice every day, and taking our preparation and competitive rounds seriously," said Koehle. "This group has the right mix of talent, determination, and experience. I see no reason why we can't be right where we want to be at Championship's end."