IUP Men's Golf: The Process, Volume II Issue II

Friends of IUP Golf,

The players and I hope this issue of “The Process” finds you happy, healthy, and ready to hear the latest from IUP Golf! A lot has transpired since the last installment, much of which is great news, but obviously we are all disappointed that for the second semester in a row, we will not be completing for championships! The players and I have set our sights on working hard this for the upcoming Spring 2021 season!

Even Though We Did Not Compete Last Spring…...AWARDS WERE GIVEN!!

Although the Spring 2020 season ended before we really got started, the NCAA, PSAC, and IUP moved forward with their yearly honors and awards. IUP Golf historically has been the recipient of many distinctions from these organizations, and last season was no different! I am very proud of what the team was able to accomplish during the shortened season.

NCAA Division II All-American Scholar Awards: Jackson Buccigross/Jeremy Eckenrode

NCAA Division II All-Atlantic Region Team: Jackson Buccigross/Jeremy Eckenrode/Shaun Fedor

NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Coach of the Year: Daniel Braun

PSAC Athlete of the Year: Shaun Fedor

PSAC Freshman of the Year: Shaun Fedor

PSAC All-Conference First Team: Jeremy Eckenrode/Shaun Fedor

PSAC All-Conference Second Team: Jackson Buccigross

PSAC Coach of the Year: Daniel Braun

IUP Men’s Academic Team of the Year: IUP Golf

IUP Men’s Freshman of the Year: Shaun Fedor

IUP Men’s Coach of the Year: Daniel Braun

Jeremy Eckenrode (above) was also voted by his teammates as the recipient 2019-2020 Fred Joseph Award. This annual award is given to the member of the program who demonstrates the highest level of leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game, his team, and IUP. Jeremy has grown into an effective leader of the team and is highly regarded by his teammates, opponents, and fellow student-athletes at IUP. Congratulations Jeremy!

IUP Men’s Academic Team of the Year

As you read above, IUP Golf was the Men’s Academic Team of the Year. The team GPA for the year was 3.59, which included a Spring Semester team GPA of 3.77. This team undoubtedly has its priorities in proper order, and is able to keep a proper balance between athletics and academics. The members of the team strive to win this award each year and take pride in achieving this important honor.

New Additions to IUP Golf for 2020-2021

Please help the team and I welcome the new members of the IUP Golf family! Both are from the Greater Pittsburgh area and are excited to continue their academic and athletic careers at IUP! We are looking to these fine young men to grow into leadership roles both on and off the course. Both Luke and Jeffrey mesh perfectly into the culture we strive to solidify, and will prove to be important assets to the IUP Golf Program throughout their careers. I look for both of them to help the team achieve the lofty athletic and academic we set forth, and to continue the program’s rich tradition that has been cultivated for many years.

Although their first semester is different than what we had hoped, they will join the team in working diligently this fall to prepare to our upcoming Spring 2021 season, and the march to the NCAA Division II Championship in May!

Luke Lestini, Bridgeville, PA/South Fayette High School 

• 2018 Tri-State Section PGA Junior Champion

• 2nd Place 2019 TSPGA Junior Championship

• T9th 2020 PA Junior Boys Championship

• Two-time Junior PGA Championship Qualifier (2018, 2019)

• T4th 2019 WPGA Junior Championship

• T7th 2019 AJGA Pittsburgh Open

Jeffrey Mankins, Greensburg, PA/Greensburg-Salem High School 

• 2020 Westmoreland Country Junior Amateur Champion

• 1st Place 2017 HJGT College Prep Series at Penn State

• T3rd 2020 Tri-State Section PGA Junior Championship

• Made Cut at 2020 Tri-State Open Championship

• Played basketball at Greensburg-Salem

• Son of IUP Hall of Fame golfer Craig Mankins

IUP Golf Lab Upgrades

Even though we were stopped in our tracks by Covid, it has not stopped us from upgrading our off-season facility, the IUP Golf Lab! Earlier this year, player lockers were installed in the far corner of the room. This will give the players a place to store their golf clubs, personal items needed for practice, on-the-go snacks, and workout gear. Also coming this fall, new golf cage type nets will be installed to upgrade the hitting experience. This will provide a safer environment in which to practice, as well as provide a better experience and improved aesthetics. This upgrade is expected to be in place prior to the start of indoor practice when the weather does not allow for outdoor sessions.

2020-2021 IUP Golf Roster

Jackson Buccigross / Junior / South Windsor, CT

2019-20 

>> Division II PING All-Atlantic Region, 2nd team All-PSAC 

>> Finished year ranked No. 17 in Atlantic Region GolfStat rankings 

>> Third on team with 76.18 stroke average in five events (11 rounds) 

>> Two top-10 finishes, including sixth place finish at Hal Hansen Invitational

 >> Low round of 72 at Hal Hansen 

>> Finished 10th at PSAC Championships 

Jeremy Eckenrode / Grad / Ebensburg, PA

2019-20

>> Division II PING All-Atlantic Region and first team All-PSAC 

>> Finished year ranked No. 4 in Atlantic Region GolfStat rankings 

>> Second on team with 75.27 stroke average in five events (11 rounds) 

>> Tied for team-lead with four top-10 and two top-5 finishes

 >> Tied for second at Mercyhurst Fall Invitational 

>> Finished fourth overall at PSAC Championships

Shaun Fedor / Sophomore / Lancaster, PA

2019-20

>> Made history by doubling as PSAC Men's Golfer of the Year and Freshman of the Year 

>> Only third golfer in PSAC history to accomplish the feat, joining Clarion's Matt Guyton (2002) and IUP's Graham Hill (2005) 

>> PING All-Atlantic Region, first team All-PSAC

 >> Finished season as second-ranked player in Atlantic Region according to GolfStat 

>> Won individual title at 2019 PSAC Championships at Hershey (10-over 223), breaking 3-way tie in second playoff hole 

>> Four top-10 finishes in five events 

>> Led IUP to No. 1-ranking in Atlantic Region; team-best 74.91 stroke average

Richie Kline / Sophomore / Kennett Square, PA

2019-20

 >> Finished year ranked No. 29 in Atlantic Region GolfStat rankings 

>> Fourth on team with 76.27 stroke average in five events (11 rounds) 

>> Two top-10 finishes 

>> Tied for fifth individually at PSAC Championships 

>> His -1 (71) at Snowshoe Invitational tied for best round on the team

Luke Lestini / Freshman / Bridgeville, PA

>> Bio earlier in issue

Jeffrey Mankins / Freshman / Greensburg, PA

>> Bio earlier in issue

Jack Steve / Junior / Pittsburgh, PA

2019-20

>> Seventh on team with 81.00 stroke average in three events (six rounds) 

>> Low round of 77 in second round of Mercyhurst Fall Invitational 

Colin Walsh / RS Sophomore / Warminster, PA

2019-20 

>> Sixth on team with 79.67 stroke average in three events (six rounds) 

>> Tied for 25th at Hal Hansen Invitational and Mercyhurst Fall Invitational 

>> Low round of 74 at Hal Hansen 

Nick Ward / Junior / Vincent, OH

2019-20 

>> Finished fifth on team with 78.20 stroke average five events (10 rounds) 

>> Tied for 12th at Mercyhurst Fall Invitational 

>> Low round of 73 in first round at Mercyhurst 

Looking to the Future

We appreciate all that you have done for us!! The success of the program is a reflection on the generous support from all friends of IUP Golf! As we move through this peculiar time, we need your support more than ever!

As we look ahead to Spring 2021 season, we continue to improve all aspects of the program; academic performance, skill development, fitness initiatives, facilities, and uniform and equipment enhancements. Our student athletes work hard to make you proud. Your gift to IUP Men’s Golf will provide these hard-working student athletes with the best experience possible while at IUP. 

Join us in support of the IUP Golf Program by making a gift today. Please visit iupathletics.com/GivetoGolf to make a one-time or recurring gift with your credit card. If you would like to make your gift via check please make checks payable to THE FOUNDATION FOR IUP. Please indicate Men’s Golf on the memo line and mail to: Foundation for IUP, G-1 Sutton Hall, 1011 South Drive, Indiana, PA 15705.