The Oswego State men’s golf team had a strong fall season with two first-place tournaments and one second-place tournament.  

Senior Ryan Fecco has had a successful season this year after the previous one was shortened due to COVID-19.  Fecco especially did well in the Empire 8 Fall Championships tying with Utica College’s Josh Kienz with a score of 154.  Coach Mike Howard was very impressed with Fecco’s performance against someone who he has battled for a couple of years.  

“Ryan has been at his heels for the last couple of years, especially at the championships,” Howard said.  “Right now, they are tied, which is exciting going into the spring. I would like to see Ryan get over that hurdle and claim an individual title. It is a good rivalry between the two, they are both friendly with it. They enjoy playing against each other.”  

Fecco said that he could have performed a lot better in the tie to Kienz, but he said he has room for improvement.  

“He had me in the back nine of this year’s tournament and then I ended up getting the lead with a few holes to go but I made a mess of the last hole and hit it in the water,” Fecco said.  “I love the competition, it brings out the best in people and I am very excited for the spring against him.”  

During the Empire 8 Fall Championships, there was a lot of rain that affected the tournament. Despite the gruesome conditions, Fecco said that there is still a job to get done.  

“I think it is important to suck it up and understand that everyone has to play in the bad weather,” Fecco said. “I think it is important to mentally block it out. Physically you must play different, you cannot let it affect you.”  

Fecco said his team views him as a role model on the golf course and he likes it that way.  

“I had played pretty good in the conference tournament,” Fecco said. “I want to play better to lead the way for the rest of them. I feel like a lot of the guys look up to me to pace the score for our team and do the best out there and let them follow suit. When I do not play good this year it is kind of tougher for them because they look to me as a basis. I really want to help them out on the golf course because many of them have not been on the golf course.”  

As the team looks towards the offseason, Howard understands what his team’s goals are so they can improve next season.  Howard said there is a lot of offseason work that needs to be put in before they return in the spring.  

“There is a long stretch between seasons,” Howard said.  “How we work indoors in February and March will determine the success we will have in April because the weather conditions are going to prevent us from being outside everyday like we were in the fall.”  

Howard would also like to see his team get in better physical shape before the season resumes in April.  Howard believes that if his team can achieve this then they can stay ahead during the last couple holes of the match.  

“We got in better shape physically because throughout the fall most of our events we had faltered through at the end of the last five, six [or] seven holes,” Howard said.  “When you play competitive golf, you have to be zoned in like that. You have to make sure your physical conditions are there because it’s a tough go mentally.”

Howard and Fecco pride themselves on preparation in the offseason to put themselves in position to compete come spring time.  

“Definitely working out like coach said [will help us improve],” Fecco said.  “Getting our bodies right and making sure that we have our winter practices indoors in February and March. That we can practice hard and practice the right way to make sure we can come out of the offseason with the right mentality. The season starts quickly in the beginning of April.  We are not going to get many rounds outside before then, so we are going to have to practice harder and be ready to go.”

The Oswego State men’s golf team’s next tournament is on April 3 at Hershey Country Club in Pennsylvania.  

Photo provided by Oswego State Athletics