McKeesport, PA. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny Athletic Department announced the hiring of Martin Valko as the new Head Golf Coach on Thursday. Valko takes over a PSUGA Golf program that is in it's second year back since taking a six year hiatus.

Valko comes to PSUGA with several years of coaching experience at the collegiate and recreational level. Before coming to PSUGA Valko was the head golf coach at Penn State New Kensington this past season. He took a team that had just one golfer the previous season and made them competitors in the Penn State University Atheltic Conference

His team's best finish of the season came at the New Kensington Bernie Gus Classic Invitational where his team finished in 3rd Place and improved their play by 70 strokes over the prior event 

Along with his collegiate coaching experience, Valko also works as the Head Golf Instructor at the Maple Crest Golf Course in Monroeville. He received his First Tee Golf Instruction Certification while he was the head golf coach at Woodland Hills High School during that time.

Valko is very excited for the opportunity to help PSUGA continue to grow their golf program for many seasons to come. He says he most looks forward to recruiting and helping his student athletes get the best college experience possible.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the head golf coach at Penn State Greater Allegheny," said Valko. "I look forward to the challenge of growing the program and enhancing the college experience for each student athlete."

He inherits a team with two returners including leading golfer Taylor Coccia (Elizabeth, PA./Elizabeth Forward HS) and will look to hit the ground running as he recruits the next generation of PSUGA Golfers.