By Daniel J. Harcharik
In only the second year for golf at IVCC, coach Jim Moskalewicz has high expectations.
"I think we're going to the national tournament and we'll get ranked nationally," the coach said.
The Apaches finished 3rd of 20 teams in their first tournament this season, the Highland 36 at Park Hills Golf Club in Freeport on Aug. 27. The teams that beat them, Rend Lake College and Indian Hills Community College (Iowa), were 4th and 5th in the nation last year.
"We shot 311 in the first round and my goal is anywhere near 300," Moskalewicz said.
In the individual standings Tom Bartman of Ottawa tied for second with a 144 (76 and 68) and Brian Stamberger of Mendota tied for tenth with a 150 (76 and 74).
The team's next competition is the St. Ambrose Invitational in Davenport, Iowa, Sept. 10.
"My hopes are high for that too," the coach said. "I think we're good enough to compete with anybody."
In their first tournament, the Apaches topped all of the teams in their conference: Sauk Valley, Highland, Black Hawk and Kishwaukee.
Apache home meets and practices are at Senica's Oak Ridge in LaSalle.
"Everyone comes to practice and works hard, and that's all I look for," Moskalewicz said.
Besides Bartman and Stamberger, the team includes B.J. Carlson of Oquawka, Erik Main from Peru, Josh Wheeler from Bloomington, Casey Hamel from Mendota, Brett Carlson from Putnam County, T. J. Templeton from LaSalle, and Mike Weger from Spring Valley.