GOLF: Linksters off to successful spring season start
By Maria Borri
IV Leader Sports Editor
The IVCC linksters have started their spring season successfully winning all of their conference meets. The Eagles were also the College Division Champions at the Western Illinois University Invitational and the overall champs at the St. Francis Invitational.
Two sophomores have carried the team and its success during the 2001-2002 season, Tim Puetz and Tim Eckberg.
“Without a doubt, Tim Puetz has been our standout player,” said Coach Jim Moskalewicz. “He is loaded with talent, has a strong desire to be the best he can be, and follows up that desire with a strong work ethic.
“He will be playing for Kennesaw State University for the duration of his college career,” Moskalewicz said. “His scholarship offer was substantial.
“That goes to show that Tim is recognized as one of the best community college players in the nation,” the coach continued. “Tim seems to earn a medal at every event he plays.”
Puetz was awarded all-conference both freshman and sophomore years and all-region freshman year at IVCC. Puetz played for L-P throughout his high school career. He began playing golf as a child with his father.
About Eckberg, Moskalewicz said, “Timothy has been a solid, consistent number two player for us. He received a scholarship to play at Western Carolina University. “Timothy has worked hard these past two years, and his hard work paid off,” the coach said. “He has improved greatly during his time her at IVCC.”
Eckberg was named all-region his sophomore year. A 2000 graduate from Bureau Valley, he started to take a serious interest in golf the summer before he started high school.
Filling out the team roster are Tony Andreoni, Craig Mc Conville, Ryan Marketti, and Cory Riordan.Both Andreoni and Mc Conville are ranked in the top ten golfers. The two are eligible to make all-conference.Andreoni is a St. Bede graduate. The sophomore also took an interest in golf right before his freshman year.
McConville is a Mendota High School graduate.Marketti came to IVCC from out-of-district, Coal City High School, which is south of Joliet.
As a team, the Eagles won by five strokes over Black Hawk and Kishwaukee (328) on April 23. Andreoni, Puetz, and Eckberg all shot 79. Moskalewicz complimented Andreoni on his outsanding performances, especially lately.
The Eagles’ score was higher than what IVCC typically shoots, but conditions were difficult with cold and windy weather and the greens were hard to shoot, the coach said.
On April 22, the linksters won the St. Francis University Invitational. IVCC played in 30 degree wind chills, but the cold weather did not discourage them, the coach said. Andreoni tied for medalist of the event with 73, Puetz and McConville tied with 75, Eckberg 78, and Marketti 79.
“It’s always nice to win a tournament that is sponsored by a four-year institution,” said Moskalwicz.
The Eagles shot 27 to win the Kishwaukee tournament on April 17.Puetz shot 65, Andreoni 69, Riordan 70, McConville 71, Eckberg 72, and Marketti 74. This was the lowest score the team has ever posted at the Rochelle Country Club, Kishwaukee’s course.
Fans can expect IVCC to win the May 7 match against Blackhawk, according to Moskalewicz. The coach would like to see a new record at Black Hawk’s tournament. The current record was set there by the same squad last year.
Puetz feels confident about heading to Nationals:
We pretty much have conference locked up. We won the first three events.”
Since the number four player, McConville, is now going to Nationals, the whole team can participate. Nationals are hosted in Phoenix, AZ, on May 20-25.