Men’s Golf Wins Home Invitational, Keeps Unbeaten Streak Alive
ALTOONA, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's golf team shot a season-low 308 to take first place out of six teams in the Lions' home invitational on Saturday afternoon at Sinking Valley Country Club.
The first place finish is a continuation of Penn State Altoona's undefeated streak to open its 2021 season. The Lions won a dual match to start their schedule before reeling off three consecutive first places in tournaments.
"What I'm most excited about is that we continue to lower our team score every time we play," said Penn State Altoona head coach Tom Koehle. "We are slowly making improvements, and our next hurdle is to get off to a better start in the round and eliminate double bogeys and worse."
The Lions took first place by a nine-stroke margin, placing comfortably ahead of second place Penn State Behrend and its score of 317. Pitt-Bradford took third place with 322, and Mount Aloysius College was fourth by shooting 330. La Roche University placed fifth, and Pitt-Greensburg came in sixth.
Penn State Altoona's starting five all produced their lowest scores of the season to propel the men's golf team to its best showing of the spring to date.
Andrew Ferguson (Altoona, PA/Tyrone) led the way for the Lions again, notching his third straight individual title by firing an even par 72 to place first out of 37 golfers. Trey Heffelfinger (Mount Union, PA/Mount Union) shot 76 to earn the individual runner-up spot.
"Andrew and Trey know the golf course so well," Koehle stated. "They took care of business today, and I'm thrilled for Andrew. His extra work is the difference right now."
Jimmy Gillespie (Glen Mills, PA/Garnet Valley) and Jacob Mrvos (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) each carded an 80 to tie for sixth place individually, and Luke Hoffnagle (York, PA/Spring Grove) shot 81 to tie for 11th place. Gillespie, Mrvos, and Hoffnagle – all seniors – were also recognized on Saturday as part of the golf program's Senior Day.
Gaige Orndoff (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg) competed as an individual for Penn State Altoona, shooting 95.
Next, the Penn State Altoona men's golf team will hope to continue its hot streak in its most important event of the season: the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championships. The conference championships are scheduled for Sunday, April 18 and Monday, April 19 at Peek'n Peak Resort in Clymer, N.Y.
"After going 4-for-4, we've put ourselves in the position to make this season a memorable one," said Koehle. "We need to put in a focused week of practice and head to Peek'n Peak relaxed, prepared, and confident."
