Men's Golf | September 4, 2014

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle golf team welcomes back three starters from last year's squad and will begin its season this weekend at the Colgate Invitational. Head coach Brad Kane is looking forward to another strong season from the Explorers.
 
"We have a bunch of returning guys that can really go low and some new guys that are going to add some nice things to the program. I can see us having some really great days this year," Kane said. "It's just going to be a matter of stringing it together and being consistent from day to day."

Seniors Greg Goodreds and Justin Smith will provide veteran leadership and plenty of experience having combined for nearly 100 rounds as Explorers. Goodreds had an outstanding fall last year, averaging 74.8 strokes, and tied for eighth at Seton Hall.

"I had a really good summer," Goodreds said. "I finally found out how to putt and I'm hoping to carry that over to this year and have a good season."

 "Greg's our captain this year," Kane said "I know he had a nice summer playing in some other events so I'm hoping he can continue his progression."

Smith played in nearly every event, averaging 79.2 strokes/round. He posted a collegiate low of 71 at Rutgers to finished 12^th. Fellow senior Mike Kelley will look to crack the starting lineup this season.

"Justin's been a valuable contributor for us," Kane said. "Mike is itching to get some playing time and he'll be in the mix."

Sophomore Joe Markmann also returns after playing in all but one event as a freshman. He averaged 79.5 strokes/round with lows of 73 at Turning Stone and George Mason.

"Joe made some nice improvement as the year went on. He'll be an integral part of the team," Kane said.

P.J. Acierno redshirted last season and will also be a sophomore. He had a breakout performance at the 2013 Atlantic 10 Championship, shooting two-over over 54 holes to tie for the best score in program history.

"He had a great freshman year for us," Kane said. "He's back and had an awesome summer. Everything is really clicking for him."

Two newcomers, one a graduate student and another a freshman, will also be in the mix for playing time.

Barcelona native Tonny Aizpun, a three-year starter at Mount St. Mary's, transferred to 20^th and Olney to pursue a master's degree. He was a Northeast Conference All-Tournament selection in 2012 after finishing sixth and helping the Mount to the league title.

"Tonny will be a key contributor," Kane said. "We're looking forward to working with him."

Brandon Raihl is a true freshman that had an outstanding prep career at Conrad Weiser High School.

"He has all the physical ability," Kane said. "He just need some more experience."

The fall begins at Colgate on Saturday and the strong schedule is highlighted by trips to Rutgers, George Mason and Lehigh and a local event, the Temple Invitational. The Lehigh event will be at Saucon Valley, which has hosted two U.S. Senior Opens and a U.S. Women's Open.

"We have a great schedule this year," Goodreds said. "I'm really looking forward going down to George Mason. A-10s will be at Harmony Preserve outside of Orlando and I've heard it's a really great course."

"We have a lot of nice events on the schedule this year," Kane said. "Lehigh is at Saucon which has a great facility. It's going to be a really nice schedule for us, as it was last year. We're looking forward to it."