Coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, the Penn State Altoona men's golf team will look to three-peat as Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference champions this fall, a feat last accomplished in 2006-09. A successful defense would lead the Lions to the NCAA Tournament in May.

The Lions bring back a core group of five players who all played significant roles in the 2022-23 schedule. Led by senior Trey Heffelfinger (Mount Union, PA/Mount Union), a three-time AMCC first-team all-conference performer and defending AMCC Player of the Year, Heffelfinger leads a Lions' lineup flush with experience.

"Trey is the rock of the program and we have built on his success over the past three years. He holds the lowest scoring average in program history and we will lean on his ability to hopefully take home another title," said 18th-year head coach Tom Koehle. "I am excited to return four other players who all saw significant and impactful time in their first season last year. The growth to new heights depends on what they've taken from NCAAs and other higher-level events."

Sophomores Jack DiTrani, (Hinsdale, IL/Benet Academy), Michael Gloth (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg), Peter Nusbaum (Pittsboro, NC/Thales Academy), and Owen Wise (Lewistown, PA/Mifflin County) were pivotal in the Lions success in advancing to the NCAA Tournament. 

"Jack and Peter joined Trey as AMCC Golfers of the Week last fall and on the AMCC All-Conference Team," Koehle said. "The hope is both Jack and Peter continue their work at this level and build off the great success they had. With a year under their belt, I see those two helping us achieve new heights."

Wise was a constant in the Lion lineup as a freshman and Gloth took competitive steps forward in the spring schedule, scoring for the Lions at Bethpage and gaining tournament reps.

The Lions welcome nine first-year golfers, as well, marking the largest recruiting class in program history. Koehle looks for this class to contribute and push the established players to be better.

"In order to grow as a program, there needs to be growth on the recruiting trail, and this class will hopefully grow competitively on the college level and challenge the upper classmen to stay sharp," he said. "The nine newcomers should challenge our returning roster and push them to improve daily at practice and in competition. In the long run, this makes each individual better and the program better."

All newcomers have experienced levels of success on the junior golf and high school circuits. With various levels of experience, there are various levels of expectations.  However, Koehle anticipates the competition within the team to be strong with specific goals for each player.

"Our first goal is to have this group bond and create life-long friendships through Penn State Altoona and our golf team. I look forward to seeing who adjusts to the college level and breaks into the lineup as we head into the fall schedule. There will be plenty of playing opportunities for everyone, as they will all play seven of our twelve fall rounds."

Once again, Koehle has organized a strong fall competitive schedule balanced with an outstanding quality of courses to enhance the experience for Lion golfers. As they look to prepare for a repeat performance at the AMCC Championship, the Lions will take on conference rivals and other strong regional opponents.

The Lions will open up their season on September 2, traveling to AMCC rival Pitt-Bradford for the Pitt-Bradford Invitational at the Pennhills Club, then continue their schedule on September 10-11 at The Gauntlet at Dauphin Highlands in Harrisburg.

"The Gauntlet is a great early test in our schedule," Koehle said. "This was a very competitive tournament last year with a similar field this year, so we can test our mettle against quality opponents right off the bat."

Returning home, the Lions will co-host the two-day Mountain Valley Collegiate Classic with Mount Aloysius College, an event that will be comprised of 13 college golf programs. Day one is September 16 at Summit Country Club in Cresson, with day two at Sinking Valley Country Club, the Lions' home course. The third edition of the Hite Cup Match Play, which pits the Lions against PAC rival Westminster College, will be played at the famous Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier on September 19. This honors Lee Hite's beneficence to both Westminster and Penn State Altoona.

"The Hite Cup is a great tradition we are continuing with our second trip to Laurel Valley. We are grateful for Lee Hite to host us at Laurel Valley," said Koehle. "This is a celebration of Mr. Hite's passion for golf and his affinity for both institutions. We have a friendly rivalry with Westminster, as both programs are consistently in contention for their conference championships."

Wrapping up September and heading into October, the Lions co-host a new event, the Northeast Elite along with fellow NCAA qualifier, Penn College of Technology. The inaugural event will take place September 30 and October 1 at Williamsport Country Club.

"WCC is a beautiful classic golf course, and having the opportunity to host seven programs that competed at NCAAs last spring, along with other teams that were highly-ranked in Golfstat, should make for the start of a new annual tradition," Koehle said.

The Lions will seek to defend their AMCC Championship at Indiana Country Club October 9-10. The Lions will co-host with Mount Aloysius for the third consecutive year, and Koehle sees Indiana as another quality venue for the conference.

"Indiana Country Club is one of the premier clubs in Western Pennsylvania, annually hosting a qualifier for the US Senior Open and other PGA and WPGA events. It also hosts events with perennial Division II contenders, IUP. It is a quality championship test and we are thrilled to be welcomed to another outstanding venue in the AMCC footprint," he asserted.

The AMCC champion receives the conference's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Championship, to be contested at Boulder Creek Golf Club and the Legacy Club in Boulder City, NV from May 14-17, 2024. Should the Lions repeat as champions, it would be their eighth AMCC crown and seventh NCAA Tournament appearance.

Koehle's squad wraps up the fall slate with a trip to South Bend, Ind. and the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame, home of the Fighting Irish and the 2019 US Senior Open, for the NCAA Region V Fall Showcase. With regional realignment in 2021, the Lions now are the eastern-most program geographically in a region that pulls from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. The second edition of the Region V Showcase will be played October 23-24.

"As hosts, we have been able to attract many programs from across Region V at another esteemed venue at Notre Dame. All of our players will have an opportunity to travel and experience this facility firsthand. It will hopefully be a nice reward for a successful fall season," said Koehle.