By Jaci Kohn
IV Leader Sports Editor, Sept. 3, 2009
The IVCC men’s golf team finished in a tie for eighth place Aug. 28 in the Highland 36 tournament played at the Park Hills Golf Club in Freeport.
Twenty teams competed in the tourney.
Troy Bauer led the way for IVCC, scoring 81-78/159.
Others scores for the team included Al Retoff 88-81/169, Gavin Corrigan 85-80/165, Pat Goy 86-84/170 and Luke Morse 87-87/174.
IVCC also entered a second team in the tournament that finished 17th out of 20.
Individual scoring for IVCC over the two rounds included Joe Morse 87-87/174, Adam Brodko 83-78/161, Anthony White 97-83/180 and Nick Hardy 89-90/179.
The team is entering its second season under IVCC alumni Jim Lukosus of Peru. Lukosus has doubled the size of the roster from last year.
Last season, IVCC finished with just four players after beginning the year with five. This year, however, the squad has eight newcomers, as well as three players returning from last season. Lukosus foresees a bright future for his program.
“We took great strides in recruiting this year,” Lukosus said. “It was a breath of fresh air to have enough members to make up two teams this year. I am anxious to see where the season takes us.”
One newcomer to this year’s team is 52-year-old Al Retoff of Streator.
“Al is a student in the Dislocated Workers Program,” said Lukosus.
“He wanted to change gears in his career, so he made the decision to come back to school and play golf while he is here. Of course, he is not the traditional age athlete but he is a very accomplished person and golfer,” Lukosus said. “We welcomed him with open arms.”
IVCC’s men’s golf team’s next competition will be the Skyhawk Classic in Sterling on Sept. 4.
The golf team will have a chance to play a home tournament Sept. 18 and 19 when they tee up in the IVCC Classic at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course in La Salle.