Tee Time
The Providence Christian College golf teams opened the season with two road matches and look to continue building on their steady progress from last year. The Sea Beggars played in a single round tri-match versus Westmont College and Occidental College, followed by playing in the TMU Danish Classic, hosted by The Master's University.
The first match with Westmont and Occidental Colleges was a great way for the Sea Beggars to knock off some of the preseason rust and allowed first year head coach, Rob Gurule, to see how his team would compete. Coach Gurule said, "For us it was about getting out on the course in a competitive atmosphere and getting through the nerves that are present at the outset of the season." Without Senior Nicholas Chavez (SR/Alhambra, CA), the team led by seniors Marc Lengtat (SR/Corning, CA) and Tyler Stauffer (JR/Flowery Branch, GA), took to the first tee along with newcomer, junior transfer Sean Vann (SO/Okemos, MI ). The men represented by additional members, Trey Kirschner (SO/Arvada, CO), Hayden Hughes (JR/Bakersfield, CA), Malik Edd (SO/Oklahoma City, OK), and Liam Argue (SO/Escondido, CA ) navigated a tough links style course in the extreme heat. The women's program was represented by Kaitlyn Robinson (SR/Siloam Springs, AR) who took stage after noon and would end in the hottest part of the day. The Sea Beggar men finished in third place, but the team represented well in the top ten. Marc Lengtat finished in second place overall shooting 75 and Sean Vann finished tied for sixth with a 77. Sophomore Trey Kirshner finished just outside the top 10 with an 83 and a twelfth-place finish. Sophomore Malik Edd finished with an 86, junior Hayden Hughes and Tyler Stauffer with an 88 and sophomore Liam Argue rounding out the Sea Beggars with a 96.
The men's team took that experience heading north for The TMU Danish Classic, which was played on the beautiful Alisal Ranch Golf Course, a private course in Solvang, CA and brought together a great collection of west coast NAIA golf talent. This was an introduction to their first tournament of the year and proved to be a great opener. The team started off red hot, registering multiple birdies and were in second place entering the middle and toughest stretch of the course. The layout challenged the men and unfortunately our course management, along with a tricky target style layout, had us take a hit. The final six holes saw the Sea Beggars rallying back to end the tournament, and once again Marc Lengtat and Sean Vann showed their resolve and determination to have a standout year. The host team, The Master's College, lead from day one, and finished winning by five strokes over the field. The Sea Beggars showed stretches of solid golf but struggled for consistency throughout the two-day event. Senior Marc Lengtat and junior Sean Vann both competed incredibly well, and at times found themselves close to the top of the leaderboard, ending the event tied for eighth place with scores of 146. Trey Kirschner finished with a respectable 153, Malik Edd with a 168, and Hayden Hughes a 169. Rounding out the Sea Beggar men, and entered as an individual golfer, Liam Argue finished the tournament shooting a 175.
When asked about the opening matches, senior Marc Lengtat said, "This team has the potential to do great things this year, it just comes down to how bad we want it and if we can show up. We didn't do that so far so now it's back to the drawing board. We all know what is at the top of the mountain, we just all need to push to get there. 'A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.' (John C. Maxwell) I am the veteran on the team, and this is my team. I know the way and go the way in practice and my actions. But it was nice to start the year showing the way. Lots of things to grow from the tournament and look forward to the next tournament." Junior Sean Vann added, "My TMU tournament was a great experience. It was my first tournament with the Providence team, and I feel very good about where my game is at and the potential for our team this year. The first tournament was a good test to see where my game's at with the course having demanding tee shots, fair greens, and rewarded good shots. I shot 72-74 and while I did have a few mistakes, I have a lot to build off of for our next tournament."
Taking these two matches in hand the team will prepare for its next Tournament in Arizona at the Firestorm Fall Invite, held at Verrado Golf Club. Kaitlyn Robison having sat this tournament out back home, will be back in action to represent the women. Coach Gurule said, "The year is looking promising as the teams work to improve on their finish last year. The target has been placed and the early morning hours on the course will set our resolve in motion. Nicholas Chavez is eager to be added to the roster come Spring to add another low scorer in the mix and setting up the men for a strong season. Kiara Paul (SR/Westminster, CA ), who is currently part of the Providence women's soccer team, will be joining Kaitlyn to provide a competitive platform for each to excel this year."
There were many positive moments over the course of the two events and coach Gurule looks to build upon those achievements, fine tune areas of inconsistency, and instill confidence and grit as the season progresses. The Sea Beggars are anxious to get back on the practice course this week and prepare for upcoming matches.