STATE COLLEGE, PA – A record 25 teams and 130 golfers travelled to State College, Pennsylvania for the 2014 USCAA Golf National Championships. After two days and 36 holes, the Daemen College Wildcats secured their third straight USCAA Golf National Championship, defeating second place finisher Rochester College by seven strokes.
The Wildcats were led by Mark Lesinkski, who followed an opening round 73 with a 77 on Tuesday to take fourth overall honors in the tournament. The freshman was tied for the lead after day one, and finishes up Joining Lesinkski as a First-Team USCAA All-American was Jered Maloney, who finished the tournament with a seven over 151. Mitch Feneziani (153) and Jake Yartz (154) took home Second Team All-American honors for the Wildcats, helping the team to second day total of 300 to secure the championship victory.
After being tied for second after day one, Rochester College shot a blistering 299 in Tuesday’s round to secure the second place finish. The Warriors were paced by Chet Ryeson’s, who shot a tournament low round of 68 on day two. Mason Motte followed his opening round 76 with another, to finish in eight place overall in the tournament. Ryeson had a two day total of 148, good for a tie for second place finish in the medalist standings.
SUNY Delhi takes third place honors after shooting a 304 on day two, shaving off fifteen strokes from their day one total. Tyler Ramie finished tied for fifth overall, recording a two-day total of 151 to lead the Broncos. On the strength of Devin Young’s 148 (tied for second overall) and Hogan Samples’ 154, Cleary University finished in fourth place. Rounding out the top five was SUNY Canton, and 2014 individual medalist Zach Meade. Meade finished the tournament with a 145, after carding a 70 during the round on Tuesday.
In the first year of the USCAA Women’s Golf Invitational, Victoria Li from The King’s College took individual medalist honors with a two day total of 180.
The 2015 USCAA Golf National Championship will return to Penn State University next October.
Skills Competition Winners
Long Drive Contest – Trent Hoekstra, Iowa Wesleyan College
Chipping Challenge – Victoria Li, The King’s College
Putting Competition – Kristy Haynes, Penn State DuBois
2014 USCAA Coach of the Year
Dan Hotham, University of Maine-Presque Isle
Dan Hotham has been the face of Maine-Presque Isle golf for five years. He has been an exceptional mentor to the student-athletes of UMPI and easily the most successful coach within our athletic department during that time. This year, his team won 3 team tournaments and finished second twice in the eight events participated by Owl golfers. Under Hotham’s guidance, Senior Reynold Brown has played at an All-American level this year, as evidenced by Brown’s 75.8 stroke average, good enough to rank Brown 3rd in the USCAA in that statistic. In four years of USCAA play, Hotham’s Owl Squads have taken 11 first place finishes in 31 events. Each year, Hotham has donated his salary back into the golf program that spends 95% of its allotted budget on travel. Without that donation, Hotham’s teams would not have the equipment needed to operate the first class program that he has developed. Hotham also willingly drives his squad to matches to keep the costs of running his program at an efficient level.
“Dan is a first-class gentleman, the mentorship he has provided his student-athletes has been exceptional,” noted Presque Isle sports information director Doug Carter. “Dan has a sincere passion for the game of golf and an equal want of providing his athletes with the best possible playing experience. He gives so much of himself to his student-athletes and the golf program at UMPI; he is as deserving an individual as anyone nationally for this prestigious award.”
2014 USCAA Student-Athlete of the Year *For contributions in the classroom and community
Jacob Roddy, University of Maine-Augusta
Over the past 4 years, senior Jacob Roddy achieved a 3.69 cumulative GPA and played golf for the University of Maine at Augusta Moose. He did this while working full time at the Belgrade Lakes Golf Club as well as serving as a UMA Student Ambassador on campus in the admissions department. The Student Ambassador position is highly regarded role on campus, held only by students that possess qualities of great leadership, character, and academic achievement. Roddy worked closely with admissions representatives and led campus tours for thousands of new and potential students, sharing his experiences with them along the way. Roddy is extremely involved in volunteer work. Every fall he volunteers at the Waterville Boys/Girls Club Thanksgiving dinner; helping set up and tear down for the dinners provided by the club. He also volunteers every spring in the Multiple Sclerosis "Maine Walks" fundraiser. Additionally, Roddy participates and donates time to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Tournament and fundraiser. Roddy's greatest achievement came in the spring of his sophomore year when he participated in the Maine State Police Internship, logging over 40 hours per week engaging with Troopers on the front line as they performed their day-to-day duties, on top of his work duties and studies. On the golf team, Coach Tristan Starbird notes that Roddy is a leader through and through. Roddy has lead the Moose to the National Tournament each of his three years at UMA. This season, he has been extremely consistent for the Moose and has helped to guide the incoming freshman. The example he sets is on the course, in his day to day life, and in the classroom. Roddy is a 3 time USCAA Academic All American Golfer at UMA. He is currently ranked 7th overall in the Yankee Small College Conference with an average score of 84.4 in 5 matches.
2014 USCAA NATIONAL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM