GOLF: Apache linksters continue strong, prepare for regional
By Kyle Nevins
Apache Staff
The golf team continues to play well as the Oct. 6 – 7 regional at Prairie
View Golf Course in Byron, approaches.
The two Apaches teams finished third (612) and fourth (618) out of 13 in the Lincoln College Invitational Sept. 30. Tim Eckberg led the way for IVCC earning Fifth Medalist by shooting 151. Josh Wheeler shot 152, Tom Bartman, Jesse Cavanaugh and Jeremy DeBernardi 153, T. J. Templeton 154, Jim Thompson 157, Tim Puetz 158, Wes Schmidt 162 and Tony Andreoni 172.
“It was a fun event because most everyone played well,” said coach Jim Moskalewicz. “Eight players under 160 shows we have solid depth, but I can only play five next week at the Regional. It’s going to be a challenge choosing the top five because so many of my players are capable.”
At the Illinois Central College Fall Classic Sept. 23-24, the Apaches placed fourth out of 13 teams with a 36-hole total of 612. DeBernardi led the Apaches with 149, good enough for fourth medalist.
On Sept. 17 and 18, the men placed second in the 20-team Rock Valley Invitational with a score of 624. Leading the Apaches were Puetz, who finished in sixth place with 152, and Thompson, who finished seventh with 153.
“Second out of 20 is pretty good,” coach Moskalewicz said. At that point in the season, the coach felt the players were a bit too score-conscious. “I’d like to see them loosen up, play golf and not worry so much about where they stand with respect to par,” he said.
As the regionals approach, Moskalewicz is confident his team will do well.“I believe we are coming together as a team at just the right time,” he said.
The team winning the regional and 10 individual players who are not on the winning team will advance to the NJCAA National Championship in College Station, Tex. in June.