A new era and new attitude will help shape the 2021-22 Penn State Altoona golf program. After graduating three contributing seniors, the Lions will lean on two of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference's top returners to help lead an influx of talented first-year golfers.

Junior Andrew Ferguson (Altoona, PA/Tyrone), the 2020-21 AMCC Co-Player of the Year, and sophomore Trey Heffelfinger (Mount Union, PA/Mount Union), the 2020-21 AMCC Newcomer of the Year, will be depended upon for leadership and consistency, both on and off the golf course. 

"Andrew and Trey showed just a glimpse of what they are capable of during the challenging Spring 2021 season. I am hopeful that the work they both put in this summer pays off this fall," said Penn State Altoona head coach Tom Koehle, who is heading into his 16th year. "Andrew played a very aggressive individual schedule that culminated in a third-place finish in the GCAA event at Penn State, where he finished behind two Division I golfers."

"My hope is that the feeling of coming up short at the AMCC Championship – the only event we did not win last spring - motivates the two of them, but also helps inspire a work ethic in our newcomers to not allow that disappointment to be repeated," Koehle added. "Andrew and Trey have the talent to be not only the best in our conference, but among the best to ever tee it up in our program and leave a mark in the record books."

Along with the two returners, Koehle's squad will feature six first-year golfers with successful junior golf and high school careers.

"To say I am excited to welcome these six to our program is an understatement," Koehle said. "Their passion for the game, willingness to work hard, and tournament experience are unmatched in comparison to any recruiting class we have welcomed to the program over the last 20 years."

Joey Toth (South Park, PA/South Park) finished third in the PIAA AA individual championship and sixth in the WPIAL AA championship. He will be a two-sport athlete at Penn State Altoona, as he excels on the tennis court, as well. Two other WPIAL standouts and high school teammates, Logan Divald (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) and Nathan Graham (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin), were two of the top players on the Knights' roster that went to the WPIAL AAA team championship for the first time in school history.

"Any time we can add competitive WPIAL players through recruiting, it is a positive for our program. To add three shows that we can make some headway into the competitive WPIAL schools and attract good players to Ivyside," said Koehle. "Joey had a remarkable run to a medal at PIAAs last year, and Logan and Nathan play out of Hannastown, one of the strongest clubs in western Pennsylvania, and led their team to new heights."

Iain Murphy-Herndon (Clearwater, FL/Saddlebrook Prep) becomes the first Floridian on the Lions roster in program history. Murphy-Herndon averaged mid-70s in highly competitive junior golf tours throughout the southeast. Jacob Carlin (Fayetteville, PA/Chambersburg) joins the Lions out of the deep PIAA District III.

"Iain's tournament experience is second to none in our program and the AMCC. He may be a first-year player on paper, but his experience will help propel him and our team to success," Koehle stated. "Jacob was a consistent performer in the PIAA District III area and really stepped up in summer junior events the last two years. No doubt this experience will help him vie for a spot in the lineup."

Parker Farnell (Ambler, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) qualified for the team as a walk-on, but brings in a strong high school resume, including a Suburban One League All-Conference nod in 2020.

"Parker made it through a week of qualifying for the team and shows a lot of potential and work ethic," said Koehle. "Coming from the SOL and PIAA District I gives him the competitive experience to find his way into the lineup."

Along with the addition of six first-year golfers, another major change for the Lions is one of the most dynamic schedules in school history with six multi-day events and an opportunity to compete at Laurel Valley Golf Club, one of the country's premier golf clubs. The Lions will also serve as co-hosts of the fall season ending AMCC Championship Tournament at Butler Country Club.

The Lions open with the Gatorade Intercollegiate, hosted by Wooster College in Zoar, Ohio on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5, followed by a trip to Ligonier, Pa. and the program's first-ever match play competition with Westminster College at Laurel Valley Golf Club on Tuesday, September 14. 

"To have an opportunity to play at an historic venue like Laurel Valley, which has hosted a PGA Championship and Ryder Cup, is a unique opportunity for our program. We are blessed with a great benefactor with connections to both Penn State Altoona and Westminster who is making this possible," Koehle stated. "But, it shows the affinity those close to our college have for providing our student-athletes with a world-class experience. Our athletes are already looking forward to that match against a returning top ten team in the country."

Coming off of the match at Laurel Valley, the Lions co-host the Mountain Valley Collegiate Classic with nearby AMCC companion Mount Aloysius College. On Friday, September 17, the Lions host at Sinking Valley Country Club, and Mount Aloysius hosts at Summit Country Club on Saturday, September 18.

The schedule continues at the Guy and Jeanne Kuhn Invitational hosted by Allegheny College on Sunday, September 26 and Monday, September 27. The Lions open October with back-to-back weekends in southeastern Pennsylvania, competing in the Gettysburg College Battle in the Burg on Sunday, October 3 and Monday, October 4 before playing in the Mason-Dixon Collegiate Classic, hosted by McDaniel College on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10.

"We will be in the Hanover area over the first two weekends in October, and both should be a great test for our young team as we prepare for the AMCC Championship," said Koehle. "Gettysburg has attracted a strong field, including teams from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, and McDaniel hosts a large 18-team regional field that will serve as a great litmus test of our progress this season."

Penn State Altoona concludes its fall schedule with the AMCC Championships on Monday, October 18 and Tuesday, October 19. Butler Country Club is a new venue for the championship and will host this season and in 2022. The Lions will co-host the event with Mount Aloysius.

"Our goal is to provide the AMCC golfers with a first-class private country club to contest our championship on. Butler Country Club has hosted numerous USGA and West Penn Golf Association events over the years and is a true test of championship golf. It is fair, which means it rewards good play and penalizes errant shots or decisions," said Koehle. "We are hopeful the conference finds it a good test, and both us and Mount Aloysius are excited to have a championship feel to the tournament. They recently completed a redesign and renovation, and the club staff have been gracious hosts. We are thrilled to host at another prestigious venue."