JWU Tops 2010 Pre-season Golf Poll

The reigning 2007, 2008 and 2009 GNAC Champion, Johnson & Wales University, earned a top rank in this year’s men’s golf pre-season poll. JWU picked up 28 points in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference coaches’ poll. Rhode Island College and UMass Dartmouth were close behind and both tied for a second place finish with 25 points. This year’s GNAC Championship will take place at Rhode Island College on October 30^th and 31^st, 2010.

1.       Johnson and Wales University (28)

2.       Rhode Island College and UMass Dartmouth (25)

#1 Johnson and Wales University

The Wildcats come off of a 2009 GNAC championship season and also placed 11^th in 37^th in NCAA’s in the spring. While only losing Bobby Newcomb to graduation, JWU looks to have another season filled with success. The young team will be led by senior Steve LeDonne, 2009 GNAC MVP, who has shown his experience as a top finisher in the 2009 season. Returning to the Wildcats roster for 2010 is stand out junior Tim Wolak, who led JWU during the NCAA’s by finishing 150^th with a 165 (86-79), sophomore Michael Fowler, and sophomore Scott Boulis.

The Wildcats begin their season on September 18^th at the Duke Nelson Invitational (Ralph Myhre Golf Course- Middlebury, VT).

#2 Rhode Island College

After falling short of the championship in 2009 with a second place finish, the Anchormen took charge in the 2010 spring season and hope to continue that success this fall. Although losing Barrett Kern to graduation, RIC has four seniors to lead the team this year: seniors Bryan Picinisco (All-GNAC/All-Little East and team MVP in 2009), Derek Jensen (All-GNAC/All-Little East), and Chad Lereau who averaged 80.6 last season and Steve Zahn who averaged 89.3.

The Anchormen commence their season on September 29^th at the Elms Invitational at 11:00am.

#2 UMass-Dartmouth

The Corsairs took a third place finish at the GNAC championship last year, but earned a predicted 2^nd place finish for their 2010 season. UMass-Dartmouth will return all but one from last year, so they will bring both experience and depth to their roster. Junior Nick Jagoe will be lead the Corsairs this season after earning all-GNAC team honors in 2009 and showing tremendous skill throughout the spring. Both sophomores Conor O’Malley and Matt Munden earned spots on the All-Rookie team at last year’s GNAC Championship as well.

The Corsairs start their season on September 18^th at the Duke Nelson Invitational (Ralph Myhre Golf Course- Middlebury, VT).