Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Men's Golf 1999-2000 Outlook
December 30, 1999 | Men's Golf
July 29, 1999
Bowling Green, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University men's golf team returns four letterwinners from last year's team, but must replace its top two performers from the 1998-99 campaign.
Second-year head coach Garry Winger will be counting on the five returnees, a redshirt freshman and three incoming recruits for an improved performance in the Mid-American Conference Championships after placing 10th in 1999.
The Falcons lost its top two golfers to graduation from last year in Otto Larson and Jeff Hunt. Larson tied for medalist honors at the Ohio Collegiate, while Hunt was one of the most consistent performers last season for BG.
"We will need strong performances from our newcomers and improved play from our returnees in order to move up the ladder in the highly competitive MAC," said Winger. "Team cohesiveness as well as improvement by each player on his weaknesses over the summer should aid in a more consistent team performance during the 1999-2000 season."
Junior Jon Smarrelli is BG's top returnee after playing in the final 10 tournaments last year. He recorded three top 25 finishes including a fourth place finish at St. Bonaventure. Sophomore Brian Gerken played 12 rounds last year and recorded the fourth best average on the squad, while classmate Justin Gillham played in all but one tournament a year ago.
Senior Dave Kotsos rounds out the returning letterwinners. Kotsos played in four of the final five tournaments a year ago.
Redshirt freshman Aaron Walter did not compete in any tournaments.
Newcomers Adam Balls and Andy Miller enter college with proven backgrounds, while Cameron Wright will be looking for a spot among the travelling top six.
Balls was the 1998 Ontario Junior Match-Play Champion and also a member of the 1998 Williamson Cup championship team. Miller won the Ohio Division III Individual State title despite playing as an individual since his high school did not have a team.
"We need someone who will step up and become a team leader for the upcoming season," added Winger. "I am looking for the freshmen to make an immediate impact."
"Most college golfers can hit the ball, our team has to work very hard from 100 yards and in this year," said Winger. "This team is going to be very young. We need leadership from the returnees for a successful year."
