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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Golf Outlook
August 07, 2000 | Men's Golf
Aug. 7, 2000
The Bowling Green State University men's golf team returns five letterwinners from last year's squad.
Third-year head coach Garry Winger will be counting on the five returnees, two redshirt freshmen and one sophomore for an improved performance in the Mid-American Conference Championships, after placing sixth in 2000.
The Falcons return all five players that competed in last years conference championships. The men's golf team has added a couple of different tournaments for the upcoming season. " Our tournament schedule is going to be a very difficult one this season with the addition of Austin Peay and Ohio State," said Winger.
"We will need strong performances from our two freshmen, 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 2000-2001 season."
Senior Jon Smarrelli is BG's top returnee after playing in every tournament last year. He recorded six top-15 finishes including a tie for 12th at the MAC Championships. He posted scores of 73-70-74-72 for a one over par total of 289. Junior Justin Gillham played every round last year for the Falcons and recorded the second-best average on the squad, while classmate Brian Gerken played in all but three tournaments a year ago.
Sophomores Adam Balls and Andy Miller, round out the returning letterwinners. Balls played in all of the tournaments his freshmen year.
Newcomers Chris Kucera and Cam Smith entered BGSU in January 2000 but did not compete in any spring tournaments, but both have proven backgrounds.
Kucera won the 1999 US Amateur qualifying in Ann Arbor, Michigan and advanced on to the National Championships. In the summer of 2000 he won the Atlantic Championships in Eastern Canada.
Smith finished runner-up in the State of Michigan his Senior year of High School, earning him all-state honors.
"We need Jon to not only lead this team on the course, but off the course as well," 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 gained valuable experience last year. We need leadership from the returnees for a successful year."
