Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Begin Play Saturday
September 04, 2007 | Men's Golf
Sept. 4, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green men's golf team gears up for the start of their fall season at the Purdue Midwest Shootout in West Lafayette, Ind. on Saturday, Sept. 8.
The Falcons are led again this year by head coach Garry Winger. Winger begins his ninth year as head coach for the Falcons. Last season he coached the team to a second place finish at the UD Spring Invitational in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, Winger led the team to a sixth place finish at the MAC Championships, where the Falcons were the lone team to post a score under par (-1) on the final day.
Leading off for the Falcons is captain Jace Walker, a senior from St. Thomas, Ontario. In his 2006-2007 campaign he averaged 74.2 strokes per round in 30 rounds of play. Walker posted a career-best 66 at the Earl Yestingmeier Invitational, a tournament which he finished tied for third (71,72 ,66). At the John Piper Intercollegiate he finished fifth overall capturing MAC Golfer of the Week in the process.
Hot on the trail of Walker is sophomore John Powers. The Bowling Green, Ohio native won his first career tournament at the UD Spring Invitational last season (76,79,71), earning him MAC Golfer of the Week for his efforts. In 25 rounds he averaged a 75.60 while recording a season low 69. On the final day of the MAC Championships Powers recorded a hole-in-one while carding a 71 to cap off his season.
Not far behind is Matt Schneider, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, Minn. Schneider averaged a 76.13 last season for the Falcons while turning in a strong performance at the MAC Championships last season. In the championships, Schneider recorded a season-best 70 and went on to finish T-11.
Sophomore Andrew Ladwig is looking to improve on his 22-round freshman campaign. Averaging a total of 76.41 strokes per round, Ladwig carded a season-best 71 at the First Energy Intercollegiate in Akron, Ohio. Additionally, Ladwig finished T-17th the same weekend for his best finish of the season.
Trailing Ladwig by a small margin is Trevor Spathelf. The junior from Bowling Green, Ohio is hoping to continue his success after a career best finish when he tied for 16th at the UD Spring Invitational (84,74,79). Spathelf averaged 77 strokes per round last season, with his best round at the Xavier Invitational where he finished with a 70.
Senior Russell Goodwin returns this season after raising the bar for personal bests. Goodwin finished at a career low 73 at the John Piper Intercollegiate last season. A tournament in which he would finish T-13 (73,77) also a career best. Last season Goodwin finished with an average of 77.38 strokes per round.
Westlake, Ohio native Scott Blackburn returns this year for his sophomore campaign. Last season Blackburn posted a 75 at the John Piper Intercollegiate to finish T-19. In five rounds of play Blackburn recorded an average of 77.4 strokes per round.
Charles Seguin rounds out the Falcons roster this season. The junior from Buckingham, Quebec averaged 79.50 at the John Piper Intercollegiate last season. Posting a low score of 79 and finishing T-51 at the tournament.
Three new faces join the Falcons this season, leading off with Gavin Aldridge a junior from Georgetown, Ontario. Aldridge is a transfer from Memphis where he appeared in one tournament as an individual. He shot a 76 in the second round of his collegiate debut.
Also joining the Falcons is Medina, Ohio stand-out Bryan Mitchell. In his senior season he managed a 74.2 average per 18 holes while leading his high school team to a conference championship. Mitchell has also received first-team all-state honors and Northeast Ohio Player of the Year.
Rounding out the roster is Chad Walker, brother of captain Jace Walker. He is a two-time Canadian Junior Golf Association champion and a member of Team Canada for the CJGA.
Following the Purdue Midwest Shootout this weekend, the Falcons will turn around and host the John Piper Intercollegiate (Sept. 10-11) before traveling to Muncie, Ind. to compete in the Earl Yestingmeier Invite.
