"As long as the weather does not keep us from playing, we are primed for a very successful spring season," said senior co-captain Todd Ballaban '03.
A talented core of upperclassman aim to complement each other this season, using a productive spring golf trip to Palm Beach, Fla. as a springboard for a successful season. The team has their sights set on the District One Shootout, held at Williams College, and the Little III Championship Tournament at Wesleyan University.
"The Little III tournament, a match play format played this year at Wesleyan, is always the highlight of the spring as we battle foes from Williams and Wesleyan," said Ballaban. "36 holes in one day, alternate shot in the morning and head-to-head in the afternoon," added Ballaban.
Ballaban will anchor the squad in this match play format, having only lost one match in the last three years. Jude Volek '03 will join Ballaban as the other co-captain, striving to finish his Amherst golf career in style. Both Ballaban and Volek should provide a great deal of experience, leadership and successful play this spring.
Although the team boasts no dominant players, Justin Sharaf '05 hopes to build on his noteworthy fall campaign, which included a 25th place showing at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Fall Championships, where he earned First-Team All-New England and Second-Team All-NESCAC honors.
First-years, Keith Zalaski and David Litt, as well as sophomore Mike Valentine round out the short but talented spring roster. With some experience under their belts from the fall, Litt and Zalaski both look to improve upon their fall scoring averages and become key contributors during the spring season.
Given the lack of depth, all members of the men's squad will be integral components during tournament play. "With only a few tournaments this spring, we hope to redeem ourselves with some good finishes in the District One Shootout at Williams, and especially at the Little III," said Ballaban.
The men's team, coached by Jack Arena '83, has a relatively short tournament schedule, which includes the Lou Flumere Invitational at Bentley College, the Palamountain Invite at Skidmore College, the District One Championships, and the Little III Championships.