Lions Golf Continues Streak, Wins PSU DIII Challenge
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's golf team continued its season-opening unbeaten streak on Wednesday afternoon, when the Lions took first place in the Penn State Division III Challenge at Toftrees Golf Course.
The Lions shot a season-low 318 as a team to claim first place at the event. It is the team's second first place finish this spring at a tournament, to go along with a season-opening dual match win.
"It is a great feeling getting our third win in three tries," said Penn State Altoona head coach Tom Koehle. "We took a huge step forward today competitively, and we are peaking at the right time heading to our home tournament and the AMCCs."
Andrew Ferguson (Altoona, PA/Tyrone) shot a 76 to lead the Lions, and he won a playoff with Penn State Harrisburg's Matthew Redman to claim the individual title out of 26 golfers at the event.
"Andrew is leading by example, and I would have to look into the archives to see when we have had a back-to-back medalist," said Koehle. "He is an extremely hard worker, and it is beginning to pay off."
Trey Heffelfinger (Mount Union, PA/Mount Union) took sixth place individually with 79. Luke Hoffnagle (York, PA/Spring Grove) tied for eighth place with an 81, Jacob Mrvos (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) tied for tenth by carding an 82, and Jimmy Gillespie (Glen Mills, PA/Garnet Valley) shot 88 to tie for 17th place and round out Penn State Altoona's starting five.
"We had a lot of positives to take out of today. Jake Mrvos stepped up and parred the last two holes and outpaced his Harrisburg opponent by four shots over that span to lead us to a comeback victory," said Koehle. "Trey Heffelfinger made an awesome 30-foot eagle putt on 17 to propel us back into things, as well."
Competing as individuals were Ryan Marshall (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township) and Gaige Orndoff (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg). Marshall fired 78 to tie for fourth place individually, and Orndoff shot 95 to tie for 22nd place.
Next up, Penn State Altoona men's golf hosts its home invitational at Sinking Valley Country Club this Saturday, April 10 at 11:30 a.m.
