Penn College Golfers Look to Carry On Tradition

An unbeaten streak of 148-0.

Tradition.

Five consecutive conference championships.

Tradition.

The achievements of the Pennsylvania College of Technology golf team over the past five years speak for themselves. They also set a very high standard each fall when a new season begins.

"They all know what's on the line. Last year, Eric Schall summed it up by saying, "˜We don't want to be on the team that loses,' " coach Chet Schuman said.

"There is a lot of professionalism among the young men, and they know if they go they've got to play well. Not only do they know, but we tell them that. We're expecting a lot out of them. Don't play above your capabilities, but play to your capabilities," Schuman continued.

"I think the challenge these young men have is that they will miss more class time than any other sport because of our travel schedule. We will be, including the conference championships, away for five nights. That's a lot of class time. And they have to remember their academics. We want them to graduate," the coach said.

The Wildcats open their ninth season under Schuman on Wednesday in the Penn State Fayette Invitational at Mystic Rock, a Pete Dye-designed course in Farmington. A year ago in their opener at the same site they dominated the field, winning by 35 strokes.

"It will be a difficult course with fast greens," Schuman said.

But the coach believes his squad will be up to the challenge.

"We have this year one of the most talented groups of young men who have tried out for the golf team," Schuman said.

The 10-player roster includes seven returnees, either from last year's team that finished 18-0 overall, or who played two seasons ago during a 30-0 campaign. They include seniors T.C. Reynolds of Muncy, Tony Stopper of Jersey Shore and Len Nicholas of Abington, junior Craig Flint of Port Allegany and sophomores Schall of Jersey Shore, Dean Bell of Schwenksville and Doug Wagner of Huntington Mills.

Reynolds, as a sophomore in 2006, tied with now-graduated teammate Matt Winder for top individual honors in the end-of-the-season Penn State University Athletic Conference championship.

Joining the veterans are freshmen Ben Turner of Muncy, Kurt Linhart of Center Valley and Kyle Shoultes of Perkasie.

"If everybody plays to their capabilities, we're going to have a strong roster," Schuman said, pointing out that on most days thus far, scores have ranged from two to eight over par.

"On any given day, any six could go 70s," Schuman said. "And on any given day, any six could go 80s. But it's a field of very, very talented young men.

"As we say, techs don't lose to preps," Schuman added, signaling a charge to his squad.

(Complete rosters and season schedules are available on the college's Athletics Web site .)