DuBois–Penn State DuBois Golf Team capped off their inaugural season in championship fashion on Monday and Tuesday while playing in the PSUAC Championship as well as the USCAA National Championship. The championships were hosted by Penn State University and were played at the Penn State Blue Course in State College, PA.
After the first day of the tournament, PSUD with a score of 343, trailed perennial powerhouses, Penn State Mont Alto by three strokes (340) and Penn College by fourteen strokes (329). John Gaylor (Clearfield) led PSUD with an 81, followed by a steady Tighe Truman (Brookville) with an 86. John Kane (DuBois HS) and Derek Buganza (Brockway) both handed in 88’s to round out the team scoring. Owen Braun (Mechanicsburg) had a 90 and Vinnie Montanari carded a 97.
“One of our main goals going into the tournament was to try to stay within striking distance of the leaders on the first day, so that we would still be playing a meaningful round on Tuesday. But I have to add, fourteen strokes back was a little more than we would have liked,” stated Coach Pat Lewis. “This was the first time any of the guys ever played in a tournament of this magnitude, so it was a learning experience for all of us.”
On the second day, Penn State DuBois came out to play with hopes of the PSUAC Championship in sight. And they ended up not being disappointed.
DuBois’ John Gaylor (Clearfield Area High School) played the front side even par and finished with a PSUD career low 76. Derek Buganza (81), Owen Braun (83, career low) and John Kane (84) were all close behind for a team score of 324, which also is a new single match school record. This gave PSUD a two-day total of 667, three strokes ahead of runner-up Penn College (670). “As a coach, you always talk about your team peaking at the right time and I can honestly say that our guys did that in the final round of the championships”, stated Lewis.
The highlight of the round may have been a shot made by John Gaylor on his last hole of the day. Lying eighty-five yards out in two strokes on a par five, Gaylor used a wedge and holed out for an eagle helping him turn in an impressive 76.
“Our guys played well both days but more so the second day,” said Lewis. He added, “We had a team meeting in my room after the first round and discussed what we needed to do on the second day and the guys actually went out on the course believing that they could still win the PSUAC Championship despite being fourteen strokes behind a very solid Penn College team. They are a really nice group of young men and I am very happy for them and all that they have accomplished this season.”
PSUD finished the season as the 2013 PSUAC Golf Champions with a regular season conference record of (30-7) and (31-7) overall. They also finished in eighth place in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships (USCAA) out of nineteen teams from around the U.S.
PSUAC CHAMPIONSHIP
Team scoring:
1. PSU DuBois 667
2. Penn College 670
3. PSU Mont Alto 694
4. PSU Wilkes Barre 719
5. PSU Hazleton 724
6. PSU Lehigh Valley 739
7. PSU New Kensington 819
8. PSU Schuylkill DNF
9. PSU Brandywine No Team Entered