Page created by: Allison Casoli
Teeing Off With the Men's and Women's Golf Team
FORE! What should you do if you love the game of golf and want to tee it up with some of the best players on this campus? Join the golf team! Many people might be surprised to find out that W&J has both a competitive men's and women's golf program. Both of the teams, which are members of the President's Athletic Conference (PAC), play a fall season that consists of several tournaments, and a spring season which includes the conference championship. We typically practice six days a week during the fall and spring seasons and take part in gym workouts, Pilates and even pool workouts during the off-season. Practice usually includes an hour of putting, followed by playing 9 holes of golf and then ends with each player spending an hour working on his or her individual weaknesses.
Sean Dove, head men's and women's coach, will make his coaching debut in the coming 2008 season. He comes to W&J from Akron University and looks foward to contributing to a program on the rise. Since 2002, a W&J player has been named either male or female PAC Player of the Year each year and in 2006 and 2007 both the men and women captured the team title.
One of the best things about the golf team is being able to travel and experience a wide variety of golf courses and locations we typically would not get to. Each year, we travel to Hilton Head Island over Spring Break and enjoy the beautiful weather and many of the extraordinary golf courses. We usually spend six or seven days just practicing and playing the courses to prepare for our spring season. In our free time, the girls like to go shopping around the island, while the boys prefer staying in to watch college basketball. We have also traveled to locations such as Indianapolis, Ocean City, Jekyll Island, New York and North Carolina, to name a few.
W&J practices and plays its home tournaments at Southpointe Golf Club, one of the area's best and most prestigious golf courses. Southpointe is located right off of I-79 in Canonsburg, which is a short ten minute drive from campus. Southpointe is one of the most challenging golf courses that a team will see when playing a college tournament, which takes the term "home field advantage" to a new level when W&J hosts tournaments. Between the hilly terrain and tough holes, opposing players are often overwhelmed by all that Southpointe has to offer.
If you enjoy the game of golf and think you have the skills to tee it up with W&J's best, then the golf team is for you. Brush up on your putting, practice your short game and come try out in the fall.
Golfing For A Good Cause
On October 16, 2007, the men's women's golf teams participated in their 2nd annual Golf-a-Thon to benefit the Special Olympics at Nemacolin Woodlands golf resort. We forced ourselves out of bed at 8 am on the last day of Fall Break and teed off at 10 am. We played as many holes as possible until it got dark in the evening. When the day was over, each player had completed about 36 holes of golf, which took 8 long hours. Each member of the team was responsible for gathering as many donations as possible. Donations could be made on a hole-by-hole or in a lump sum basis. As an incentive to raise money, the team decided to make things competitive by rewarding the two team members who raised the most by giving them the opportunity to play the beautiful Mystic Rock golf course, which is the home of the 84 Lumber Classic, one of the most popular PGA tour events. The two highest fundraisers were able to play for free, which saved them the $185 it typically costs to play there. Another added bonus was the fact that we were able to take golf carts rather than walk like we typically do at practice. Although the day was long, in the end we were glad to be able to make a difference and raise money for such a worthy cause.
The Life Of A Golfer
Based on an interview with Mike Grasso, co-captain of the W&J men's golf team, conducted on November 6, 2007
As long as I can remember, I've had a golf club in my hand - even if it was plastic and made by Fisher Price. My dad is an avid golfer, so I guess I got interested in golf because of him. He's definitely one of the major influences I have had in my golf career. When I got to middle school, I started what I guess you could call competitive golf. I would go to a golf course that charged $6 to play nine holes with a bunch of kids from my neighborhood and we would play for a can of Coke. When I was old enough to get a job, I started working at a driving range where golf professional Leo Zampedro was a teacher. He let me practice for free. That's when my game really took off.
When it came time to choosing a college, it was between Allegheny and W&J. I decided on W&J because it had a golf team that was on the rise. I love the competition and being able to represent the school. My teammates make me look forward to practice everyday. The best thing about the past four years, I would have to say, was being able to play in two NCAA National Championships. That's something that I will never forget.
Where to Start
Any person who is interested in the men's or women's golf teams can contact Coach Dove at sdove@washjeff.edu. If you are a potential incoming freshman, you can go to the men's or women's golf team website (listed below) and click on the Recruiting Form tab. If you already attend W&J, tryouts are held at Southpointe each fall during the first week of school and are open for anyone to attend.
Other Links
W&J Men's Golf Team
W&J Women's Golf Team
Southpointe Golf Club
Presidents Athletic Conference
Golf Team
