Traveling to Oglebay Jones Course on Tuesday Sept. 10, for the Bison Invitational, the men’s golf team had a strong finish to give them 2nd place honors as a team to end the day.

Shooting a combined 323 score, finishing behind the leaders of Pitt-Greensburg by only three strokes, the Jackets showed strength and growth from all members of the team.

Alan Tarolli, freshman star, shot a one-over 72. Achieving this by shooting par on 15 holes, one birdie and two bogies. Tarolli continues to impress after earning the Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s Newcomer of the Week for men’s golf the morning before the Bison Invite.

“It came as a surprise, I wasn’t expecting it,” Tarolli said “I am grateful for the honor of earning the newcomer award”

Head coach Mike Cipoletti is excited to see his recruiting working out the way he hopes and is excited to see the heights Tarolli takes this season.

“Well, we lost the luxury of Alan sneaking up on any conference opponents,” Cipoletti started. “It validates what we saw in him as a recruit and the team is proud of him” 

Followed by Matthew Karpeal shooting 79 to tie for seventh in the tournament lineup

The rest of the team filed in the 323 score with an 86 from both Hudson Pincavitch and Cesar Will Lapid who tied for 26 place and Brock Bayles with a 91. 

Looking to Latrobe Country Club for the Saint Vincent Invitational on Monday September 16th, Coach Mike Cipoletti hopes to see some players make a good jump.

“I am looking for Hudson to bounce back well from a couple of tough rounds. I look for Matt to be in the hunt for the individual,” Cipoletti said. “Alan, Brock, and Will have less anxiety now after getting to know the pre-round routines, however the first time seeing a course is always challenging, so it’s hard to say for the new guys”

John Popeck, golf pro and assistant coach to the team, says a lot of the team’s development has come from the time used in the golf simulator.

“Our players are very fortunate to have a facility of that caliber. I am the head teacher there and having a facility like that in our area is a plus all around. Our players utilize it as much as possible, and it shows in their games,” Popeck said. “It’s a huge bonus that we have the opportunity to practice throughout the winter months to keep the games sharp. Not many universities have that.”

Waynesburg, after Monday, will travel to Oak Shadows Golf Club in New Philadelphia, Ohio for the Golden Eagles Invitational on Friday, Sept. 20.