2019-2020 William Penn Men's Golf Preview
2018-2019 Heart Finish: 2nd of 9
Letterwinners returning/lost: 4/2
Notable returners:
Spencer Tucker, So., Oskaloosa, Iowa
(All-Heart, 77.1 avg., low of 71)
Oliver Stanway, Sr., Leicester, England
(Letterwinner, 76.5 avg., low of 67)
Juan Lugo, So., Lecheria, Venezuela
(Letterwinner, 79.0 avg., low of 76)
Oscar Florez Martinez, Jr., Gignon, Spain
(Letterwinner, 79.3 avg., low of 73)
Notable Losses:
Zachary Chegwidden
(All-American)
Davis King
(Letterwinner)
Notable newcomers:
Jace Mueller, Jr., Burlington, Iowa
Andrew Lallier, Jr., Algona, Iowa
Austin Hafner, Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa
The William Penn men's golf team looks for incredible depth to put it into league title consideration in 2019-2020.
A year after winning its first conference crown in over four decades, the Statesmen placed second at last year's Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships. All-American Zachary Chegwidden has since graduated, leaving large shoes to fill, but Head Coach Steve Tucker has retained and recruited well as the navy and gold are again in position to hoist hardware next spring.
Heading the way is Spencer Tucker (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) who earned all-Heart laurels as a freshman after finishing fifth at the league championships. Tucker posted a 77.1 stroke average last season (low of 71) with five top-10 placings.
Three other individuals also return with experience at the varsity level. Oliver Stanway (Sr., Leicester, England, Sports Management) actually has the best returning average at 76.5 (low of 67) with four top-10s, including a victory at the Simpson Invitational in the spring. Juan Lugo (So., Lecheria, Venezuela), with a 79.0 clip, and Oscar Florez Martinez (Jr., Gignon, Spain, Business Management), at 79.3, will also be in the mix this year.
A pair of newcomers are expected to give the Statesmen a major boost in their first campaigns. Jace Mueller (Jr., Burlington, Iowa) and Andrew Lallier (Jr., Algona, Iowa) each have experience at the collegiate level at Indian Hills CC and Simpson, respectively. When they are eligible to play in the spring, the duo will add great talent in the lineup.
Local product Austin Hafner (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa) headlines a strong group of other new faces that join William Penn this season.
Schedule/Conference
The Statesmen will open the fall by traveling to Wentzville, Mo. to compete in the Crossroads of America Invitational next Monday and Tuesday. WPU plays a short four-tournament autumn slate that also includes an October event that it will co-host with Southeastern CC in Burlington.
Defending Heart champion Missouri Valley leads the way in the league, but WPU should be right up there as well, while Grand View, Mount Mercy, and others also hope to bring home the crown in April.
