Men's Golf To Compete at NEIGA Championships

Worcester, MA --- With the last tournament on the horizon, the men's golf team will prepare themselves this weekend for the three-day NEIGA Championships starting on Sunday. Led by Captain Bob Bruso, the Lancers look to improve upon last year's finish sixth place among Division III schools (18th overall).

"This is my 12th NEIGA Championship," said head coach Rich Korzec. "With a tournament that has the largest Division III field in the country a top five finish in a field with solid teams like Nichols, Salem State, Johnson-Wales, UMass Dartmouth and Trinity, would certainly be an accomplishment."

The Lancers are led by Bruso, who tied for 15th last season and earned All-New England honors last year as a sophomore. This fall Bruso picked up right where he left off from last spring as he has carded no lower than eighth place in any of the five tournaments he has competed in this season, which included him taking second at the season opening Blazer Invitational at Elms.

Bruso comes into the NEIGA Tournament with some momentum after he earned medalist honors at the Bison Invitational as he shot a 69 (-3) at Greenhill Country Club this past Sunday.

"Bobby is someone who just surrounds himself with the game," said Korzec. "He works out at Blackstone and gears up for the three biggest tournaments on our schedule; the Williams Tournament, the Middlebury Invitational and the NEIGAs."

The lone blemish thus far that Bruso has faced this season was at Middlebury. Leading the field with a 71 (-1) after the first day, the junior shot a 75 (+3) in the final round to settle for second place tie.

"I don't think there were any weather conditions that had an effect on him or anything like that," said Korzec. "When the putts drop, you're going to score. The exact same thing happened to the first place finisher Nick Antonelli, of Salem State. The first day he didn't shoot well (75; +3), but then on the second day he had a 70 (-2).

"When the putts drop for Bobby he's a dangerous player."

The next two players on the roster that will compete are senior Dave Urella and junior Mike Leveroni, both veterans to the NEIGA's as they both competed last season at the NEIGAs. Leveroni also played in the tournament as the fifth golfer in 2007 as well.

"With past experience at Captains it is critical that our veterans play well," said Korzec. "I hope they play to their potential and if they do we should do well."

Rounding out the field will be freshman standout Chris Ellis and junior Mike Horan. Ellis has played phenomenally in his rookie campaign as the second finisher to Bruso in four of the five tournaments he has competed in this fall. In those four competitions he shot no lower than 84 at the season-opening Blazer Invitational and the first round at Middlebury. He bounced back on the second day at Middlebury and shot a 74, which was tied for the third-best finish on the final day.

"Chris has been a wonderful addition to our squad," said Korzec. "He has the knowledge and the ability that few freshmen possess. He has the same love of the game as Bobby does. He has the drive to improve his game and he really get into it."

Horan earned his spot last Friday when he led the squad at the Rhode Island College Invitational. Horan shot +10 (82) at Triggs Golf Course as he finished nine strokes off the lead.

The actual tournament doesn't begin until Monday, but three Lancers will be competing in the three skills competitions on Sunday afternoon.  

"We will have three Worcester State players representing us competing in the long drive, the putting and bunker competitions," said Korzec.

Korzec said that the whole experience is really a once-in-a lifetime experience.

"They really treat the kids like royalty down there," said Korzec. "With the skills competitions, the tournament itself and the banquet on the final day, it's going to be a lot of fun."

Please check the website for the latest updates on the men's golf team at the NEIGA Championships at Captains Golf Course in Brewster, MA.