Millersville men's golf takes aim at repeat performance

Friday, October 18

Lebanon, PA

Millersville University

PSAC Championship

Millersville men's golf takes aim at repeat performance

10/15/2024 3:06:00 PM | Men's Golf

Millersville plays for a second consecutive PSAC title Friday through Sunday

By: Ethan Hulsey, Director of Athletic Communications

LEBANON, Pa. - Millersville is the reigning PSAC men's golf champion, and the team has been in championship form all fall. Beginning on Friday and ending on Sunday, the Marauders look to repeat as conference champs for the first time.

The 54-hole event begins at 10 a.m. on Friday. Millersville's tournament starts in the first wave of golfers along with IUP and Gannon. Millersville is plenty familiar with Iron Valley Golf Club. In addition to winning the 2023 PSAC Championship at the course, the Marauders placed second there at the 2023 Marauder Invitational. Four of the golfers in Millersville's lineup this weekend played in that event and three of them finished in the top 15.

Based on its play in five events this fall, Millersville is as strong a contender as there is in the championship field. The Marauders tied for first at the Vulcan Invitational, losing on a playoff to Cal U. They won the Dickinson Invitational before finishing as the runner-up in three consecutive tournaments. In three of the four runner-up finishes, Millersville was beaten by the host team playing on their home course.

PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
Site: Iron Valley Golf Club (Par 72), Lebanon, Pa.
Event Coverage: Live Results | Tee Times
Millersville's PSAC Championships: 5 (1999 (spring), 2003 (spring), 2004, 2013, 2023)
Millersville's Medalists: Timothy Peters (2023), Conor Gilbert (2013), Chris Killiany (2002), Kris Rudy (1999)

SCOUTING THE MARAUDERS
Only one Marauder golfer in the 2024 championship lineup was in the lineup for the 2023 championship, and that is sophomore Timothy Peters, who won the championship with a 3-over-par score. Junior Eric Miller, junior Bo Meakim, junior Max Pflieger and freshman Sebastian Botero make their championship debuts. New to the 2024 championship is the option to substitute a golfer in any given round. Millersville's sub is freshman Josh Baker.

Peters was named the PSAC Men's Golf Athlete of the Year in the spring, and he's been one of the best in the conference for the first five events of 2024. He's won twice, finished in the top 10 of every event and holds a 71.9 scoring average--a mark that would smash the Millersville record if he maintains it through the end of the season. Peters is known for his consistency, which is key in a 54-hole tournament. He can, however, fire a low score, as evidenced by his 5-under 67 at the Dickinson Invitational on Sept. 23.

Miller played well in a limited number of events as a sophomore, and he just needed a spot to open. He's taken full advantage of that opportunity in the fall as Millersville's No. 2. He owns a 73.7 scoring average, and like Peters, he's finished in the top 10 of all five events. He's set career records for best 18-hole, 36-hole and 54-hole performances already this season.

Meakim is a full-time starter for the first time in his career, and he's delivered two top 10s in five events. His scoring average sits at 75.8 but he's capable of breaking par. He shot even-par across two rounds at the Vulcan Invitational in September. Botero has made an immediate impact with three top-10 finishes to his credit. His best performance was a 2-over total at the 36-hole Sunnehanna Collegiate. Pflieger entered the season with four events played, and he's already matched that total this fall. Coach Scott Vandegrift can plug Baker into the lineup for any golfer before any of the three rounds. He has a 78.0 scoring average through three events.

SCOUTING THE FIELD
Standing in Millersville's way is Gannon, which is seeking its first PSAC Championship. The Golden Knights finished third last season, but they've been outstanding all fall, winning the Sunnehanna Invitational over Millersville by 10 shots. The next week, Gannon again topped runner-up Millersville by 26 shots with a 1-over team total at the Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational. Gannon has won four times already this fall. Three golfers have a scoring average of 72.6 or lower. Mattia Parrini is in the lineup as the No. 1 with a 70.6 scoring average. Rasmus Seppanen is also a contender. He has three top-five finishes and shot 10-under at the Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational.

IUP, a program with a PSAC record 31 men's golf championships, is also in the mix. IUP finished three shots behind Millersville at the Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational. Guillermo Salazar finished 1-under at the event with 11 birdies in two rounds. Alex Swinnerton shared PSAC Athlete of the Week honors with Millersville's Peters after winning the three-round Hannastown Invitational.