Coming off a successful fall slate, the Sacred Heart University (SHU) men’s golf team is gearing up to tee off in their last season as Northeast Conference (NEC) competitors.
The Pioneers wrapped up their fall season at Nassau Intercollegiate, a tournament hosted by Long Island University (LIU) at the Nassau Country Club. The men proved to be successful, finishing fifth, with four of SHU’s golfers finishing inside the top fifteen.
Three SHU golfers rank in the Top 10 after two rounds of the Nassau Intercollegiate.
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Sophomore, Mike Rothberg, in action at the Sacred Heart University Fall Classic.
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“Finishing fifth in our final tournament of the fall was a little disappointing,” said Head Coach Matthew McGreevy. “I believe with hard work and focus, we can be successful and get back on top of the NEC in our final conference championship.”
Starting next fall, the team will begin their season as members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
“This is the last year we will have an opportunity at an NEC championship,” said senior Conor Handley. “It would be pretty cool to win a ring again.”
Handley ended his fall season by placing 15th at the Nassau Intercollegiate.
“I want to continue my momentum into the first event at Georgia, and throughout the season, just keep pushing myself and my teammates to excel,” said Handley.
Off-season preparations are important to the team’s hope of success this spring according to senior Victor Ginart. “We tend to try to stay in shape by practicing most days of the week, usually on the range and short game areas,” said Ginart. “If you live somewhere with nice weather, you try to play various rounds a week to stay in touch with the competitive side of the sport. I also like to work out six times a week, to make sure my endurance isn’t a weak sport during the season.”
Handley describes how he combats the struggles of staying in shape from the fall to spring season.
“It is definitely a lot harder to stay ready between fall and spring,” said Handley. “I stay in the gym a lot and if it is nice out, I try to hit balls as much as I can and do indoor training. I like to stay loose and keep my swing in form as much as I can.”
The Pioneers have a lot to look forward to this spring as they are projected to finish second in the NEC according to preseason rankings.
Ginart, having to withdraw last season due to injury, is looking forward to his last season as a Pioneer.
“I’m mostly looking forward to the tournaments throughout March and April, Including my last home tournament,” said Ginart. “Last year, I got injured in the first round, so I’d like to finish strong this time.”
“We have a really good group of guys and I enjoy playing with them a lot,” said Handley. “Getting back on the course with the guys will be awesome.”
McGreevy’s Pioneers begin the spring slate on Feb. 16 at the Savannah Intercollegiate
