The Oswego State men’s golf team hit the green this past weekend at the Hamilton College Fall Invitational at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, New York. It was the first of seven events that the Lakers will be a part of this fall.

Oswego State is looking to improve off a second-place finish in its inaugural season in the Empire 8 Conference, which expanded to nine teams this season. Coach Mike Howard is in his 25th season as the men’s golf coach and says that he is excited for his team to take the next step after a successful season.

“We are expecting some good things from this group,” Howard said. “The guys worked extremely hard over the summer and came in ready to play competitive golf, which was nice to see.”

Senior Sean Paul Owen made Oswego State history last season by becoming the first player from the Lakers golf team to be named a Golf All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Owen was also recognized as the Lakers Sportsman of the Year by the conference. 

“A lot of us focused on putting this summer, looking to improve our game to put a better score on the board,” Owen said.

Corey Marshall, a junior entering his third season on the team, says that last year was a decent season but he is going into the season looking for redemption.

“We finished second in Empire 8 last year which was good, but I think we could have finished a little stronger,” Marshall said. “We have more depth this year with more capable players.”

There seems to be a common goal surrounding the team this season, that is taking the next step and improving off an already successful season. Coach Howard emphasized new players including freshmen Ryan Fecco and returning All- American scholar senior Owen.

“We talked about how taking second in the Empire 8 was good, but can we take that next step,” Howard said. “We were second by 70 strokes, so we have a lot of ground to make up. With the guys in the program I think we can make up that ground and maybe even take that next step.” 

The team earned its first victory Tuesday in Potsdam led by Owen, Marshall, and Fecco. Each shot a 72 which is even-par for the course to lead all golfers.

The team will head to Baldwinsville this weekend to play in the St. John Fisher Collegiate Invitational at the Timber Banks Golf Course. It is the same course that the team will play on for the Empire 8 Conference Championship on Sept. 15 and 16.

“I think we’re all looking forward to playing on the course this weekend. So, I think this will be a good evaluation of where we are as a team,” Marshall said.

Fecco is from the area and added that he is very “excited” to play this weekend on his home course.

The Lakers will have three more match days before the Empire 8 Conference Championship kicks off.

Graphic by Shea McCarthy | The Oswegonian