Coming off back-to-back Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championships, the Penn State Altoona golf program is setting its sights on its sixth NCAA Division III National Championship appearance this May. In preparation, the Lions will tee it up with some of the top teams in the country, many of whom are expected to advance to the national tournament at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ky.

Kicking off the spring season on April 1-2, Penn State Altoona will play host to the six Penn State Division III institutions at the Penn State Division III Challenge in State College. Day one will be at the Penn State Blue Course, with the final round being contested on the White Course.

"This is an exciting lid-lifter on our season and we hope to perform better than we did in 2022," said head coach Tom Koehle. "There is good competition among the six campuses, and we all have a friendly rivalry that makes going head-to-head even more fun. The United East schools are prepping for their conference tournament, and we hope to see one of them join us at NCAAs."

The DIII Showcase at the Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort (Ind.) is next up for the Lions, as they will take on nationally-ranked teams in a 20-team field on April 10-11. The DIII Showcase traditionally includes some of Region V's elite teams, as well as nationally-ranked teams, competing on one of the finest resort courses in the country.

"The challenge of travelling and competing at a high level will only pay dividends at the National Championship," Koehle said. "Having an opportunity to compete with the best in the country on a well-respected course only helps elevate our program."

Penn State Altoona will return to Pennsylvania and Allegheny Country Club in Pittsburgh for the ACC Cup, hosted by Wittenberg on April 17-18. The Lions will take on Carnegie Mellon, Wittenberg, and Kenyon – all of whom competed alongside the Lions in the 2022 NCAA National Championship and are currently ranked fourth, fifth, and 28^th in the GCAA Coaches Poll.

"This is a small but mighty field and one we are proud to be included in. We look forward to competing with national championship hopefuls on a classic golf course. Taking the next step against nationally-ranked programs is necessary for our program to reach the heights we aim for," said Koehle.

The Lions will host a one-day Spring Invitational on Thursday, April 20 with AMCC teams Pitt-Bradford and Mount Aloysius, fall 2023 AMCC newcomer Carlow, and non-conference foes Lancaster Bible, Susquehanna, Penn College, Juniata, and Rosemont at Penn State Altoona's home course, Sinking Valley Country Club.

"This will provide an opportunity for us to prep for our final event against some familiar competition, as well as showcase our players who will be moving on from the program one more time at home," said Koehle.

On April 22-23, the Lions travel to Long Island and the Bethpage State Park Red Course, a historic A.W. Tillinghast design and sibling of the more famous Black Course, for the Farmingdale State Spring Invitational.

"This is yet another chance to play against nationally competitive teams on a highly-regarded golf course," Koehle stated. "Host Farmingdale competed in the 2022 National Championship, and the other programs there will be prepping for a shot to earn their conference's AQ in the coming weeks. It will be yet another growth opportunity for Penn State Altoona golf."

With the Lions wrapping up the academic calendar and finals week ending May 5, the team will have time to rest and prepare for the NCAA Division III National Championship that begins Tuesday, May 16.  The Lions will play one round on both the Keene Run and Champion Trace Golf Courses before a final cut will be made, as the Lions hope to become the first AMCC program to advance to the final two rounds of the NCAA Championship. If the Lions make the cut, the 2023 season will end on Friday, May 19. 

"We certainly have the talent to accomplish our goal of making the cut at NCAAs and then doing our best to achieve as high of a finish as we can. If we can maintain a good balance with class work and tournament prep, as well as strengthening our weaknesses, it will help propel us into the national tournament," said Koehle. "The 10 days between finals and the tournament will be a new experience for me, as our previous five trips to NCAAs have always come on the heels of finals week. I am hopeful this rest and reduced stress of balancing class work and golf will help in our preparation for a great finish to another record-setting year."