PSUGA Golf Trying to Grow Under New Leadership
The PSUGA Golf team has a new head coach in 2019 as they continue to grow in their second season.
McKeesport, PA. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny Golf team is under new leadership in 2019-2020 as they begin their second season. New Head Coach Mark Valko takes over bringing a wealth of experience to this young team.
Last season, he helped a PSU-New Kensington team that was in its first season compete in the PSUAC Championships. This season, Valko faces a similar situstion as he tries to get PSUGA's second year program to the championships.
PSUGA returns one golfer from a season ago as sophomore Taylor Coccia (Elizabeth, PA./Elizabeth Forward HS) returns for her second season. She led all PSUGA Golfers a year ago with an 18-hole average score of 107, finishing just seven points shy of qualifying for the PSUAC/United States Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.
Joining Coccia are six first-year golfers who all want to help the program move forward. Freshman Justin Wortman (Ashburn, VA./Broad Woods HS) and Angie Nylander (Elizabeth, PA./Elizabeth Forward HS) are two of those newcomers looking to make immediate impacts.
Nylander was a four-year letter winner at Elizabeth Forward HS and played in the WPIAL Qualifier during her senior year. She joins former teammate Coccia as they carry the women's side of PSUGA golf.
Wortman enters 2019 coming off a great year at Briar Woods HS. He was named the team's number one golfer during his senior season and looks to bring that leadership to PSUGA.
The PSUGA Golf team starts their season on Thursday September 5th at the PSU White Course Invitational where they will get a first look at this year's team. They will then compete in five other invitarionals as they try to qualify for the PSUAC/USCAA Championships on October 6th.
The PSU White Course Invitational will be played at the Whire Course at University Park. Tee time is scheduled for 10 a.m.