McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Golf team begins their 2019 season when they head to the PSU White Course Invitational on Thursday at 10 a.m. New head coach Mark Valko has a team of seven golfers ready to continue to grow the program as they train for the Penn State University Athletic Conference Championships on October 6th.
The PSUGA golf program is in its second season since it went on a six-year hiatus and got its feet wet last year. Sophomore Taylor Coccia (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward HS) led last year’s team with an average score of 107, just seven points shy of qualifying for the PSUAC/United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships.
Coccia returns in 2019 looking to continue to improve and lead this year’s team, which features six first-year golfers including four freshmen. Coccia was appointed this year’s team captain and brings a level of Leadership that will help Valko lead this season’s team.
“(Taylor Coccia) has been appointed captain,” said Valko. “I saw her last year and coached against her and to see the difference from this year to last year it’s been big.”
Joining Coccia is a group of newcomers who are ready to make an immediate impact on this year’s team. Freshmen Justin Wortman (Ashburn, Va./Briar Woods HS) and Angie Nylander (Elizabeth, PA./Elizabeth Forward HS) are just two of the players who will be catalysts for the team’s growth.
Wortman comes from Briar Woods High School in Ashburn, Virginia where, during his senior season, he was named the number one golfer for the Falcons. Nylander was a four-year golfer at Elizabeth Forward High School and lettered in each of her four years. While with the Warriors, Nylander was a four-time scholar-athlete award winner and brings her talent to this year’s team.
The PSU-White Course Invitational features all 10 teams from around the PSUAC competing at University Park to officially kick off the 2019 season. The White Course is a par 72 measuring 6,344 yards. It was newly renovated in 2005 and has a lot of character with some holes dating back to 1922.
Previous Appearances
The PSUGA Golf team last competed in the PSU-White Course Invitational last season when they brought three golfers to the event. Former Lion Nikolas Kuzminsky led the way shooting an 83 including seven pars through the 18-hole course. Coccia led the women with a score of 107 picking up one par and six bogeys.
The PSU-White Course is scheduled to tee off at 10 a.m. at the White Course on Penn State Main Campus.
