Golf team swings into a fresh, new season
By Kathryn Andreoni
IV Leader Sports Writer, Sept. 11, 2003
The IVCC men’s golf team is gearing up for another great season — although this is a season that almost didn’t come.
Due to budget cuts and restraints, the golf team was in danger of no longer existing; however, the program is back with renewed interest and vigor.
Interestingly, the team is composed of five sophomores who returned from last year, along with some new additions. Coach Mike Riley said, “With the five returning sophomore players and the five freshmen, our team really has depth.”
Although the season has just begun, Duane Price already has come out with a strong showing. Riley also expects big things from Brad Pinter, another sophomore who played last year and who will step up with his leadership skills.
The IVCC men’s golf team finished sixth out of 15 teams at the Highland “36” Invitational in late August.
The Eagles’ A Team finished with a team score of 627 for the two-round event. The B Team finished 11th with a score of 659.
Price finished eighth overall in the invitational, with a 75 in the first round and a 77 in the second round for a combined score of 152.
Besides Pinter and Price, the team includes sophomores Tanner Morris, Steve Philbrook and Bobby Sipula and freshmen Alex Blumenshine, Matt Grivetti, Chad Hochstatter, Jeff Puetz and Kyle Shevlin.
IVCC’s golf team is a springboard for area players who wish to continue golfing in college, Riley said. Many players continue at four-year universities, usually about two or three each year.
Riley said the golf program is a sound one, with students who excel, not only athletically, but academically as well.
Although IVCC is still able to offer tuition waivers to the student athletes, the budget problems have affected the team. The golfers are responsible for many expenses, such as buying their own meals when they are gone to meets and buying their own balls.
In addition, the golfers raised $7,000 this summer to ensure that the program would continue. Each of the players, as well as their families and the community have shown tremendous support to the boys and to the program, according to Riley.
“Everyone has done something,” he said.
Oak Ridge is the golf team’s home course, and Riley said the golf course owners have supported the team by charging no fees for the team to practice. Riley also commended Deer Park Country Club and other local courses that have been generous with the use of their courses and support of the program.
The team has 16 matches and then a regional Oct. 2-4 at Prairie View.
The golf team will be playing in the DuPage Invitational on the 12th.
The following day the team will go on to play in the Illinois Central Invitational.