2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

16
2011-12 UCONN GOLF UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

description

A look at the UConn golf team with a history of the program and biographies of the coaches and student-athletes.

Transcript of 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

Page 1: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

Page 2: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT GOLF

2011-12 University of Connecticut

Golf Roster

Name Cl. Hometown/High School Jeb Buchanan Sr. Loudonville, N.Y./Shaker Matt Carroll Sr. Heathrow, Fla./Lake Mary Prep Matt Dziubina Sr. Shelton, Conn./Shelton (Pace Univ.)Adam Vaccari Sr. Winsted, Conn./The Gilbert School Brian Hughes Jr. Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield PrepMichael Masso So. Suffield, Conn./SuffieldChris Wiatr Fr. Woodbury, Conn./Canterbury SchoolDane Rosa Fr. Mansfield, Conn./E.O. SmithDan Myers Fr. Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield

Head Coach: Dave PezzinoVolunteer Assistant Coach: Carl Girasoli

Page 3: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

Dave Pezzino is in his fifth season as the head coach of men’s golf at the University of Connecticut. He was named to the position on August 24, 2007. The Pezz ino era at UConn has been marked by a significant upgrade to the compe-tition schedule. “I have tried to chal-lenge our team with the schedule and I think it has really paid off for

us,” Coach Pezzino said. “By playing tough competition and great layouts, our squad is learning how to compete and, more importantly, learning how to win. This spring will be a continuation of that and will have us ready to be a factor at New England’s and at the BIG EAST.” Under Pezzino, UConn has had 16 players named BIG EAST Academic All-Stars, two All-Conference picks, four All-Northeast Region selections, and four All-New England picks. The Fall of 2009 saw the Huskies capture the New Eng-land Championship, the first title under Pezzino. Jeb Buchanan also became the first individual medalist under Coach Pezzino when he won the Adams Cup of Newport by shooting three successive scores of 69. He was also named the Golfweek Magazine National Player of the Week. UConn finished sixth in the team competition against a standout field at the Adams Cup, despite having only four players for the final two rounds due to injury. In the Fall of 2011, Pezzino and the Huskies captured another tournament title, winning the Hartford Hawks Invitational by eight strokes as Buchanan won individual medalist honors. That victory was the start of a solid three-tourney stretch that saw the Huskies finish third at The Connecticut Cup and second at The Classic at Sheltor Harbor. Pezzino came to UConn after spending one year as an assistant coach at the University of Illinois and 11 previous seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level. Pezzino (pronounced Pezz-EENO) spent seven years, from August of 1999 to May of 2006, at Florida International as the head coach of the women’s golf program. He led FIU to four tournament victories and 10 individual titles during his tenure and coached 10 All-Sun Belt Conference selections, includ-ing 2001 NGCA All-American Michelle Simpson. He had three student-athletes earn Academic All-American recognition and five former team members that are currently playing professionally. During his time at Florida International, Pezzino also worked at the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral Golf Resort, one of the premier golf teaching facilities in the world. He earned the status of master instructor, one of few instructors in the country to reach that level for McLean. “Dave did an outstanding job working for me at Doral,” said McLean. “He has a keen interest in the development of young people.” Pezzino played his collegiate golf at St. Thomas University in Miami, where he became a student-head coach during his senior year of 1996-97. Upon graduation, he continued to serve as the head men’s coach at St. Thomas until August, 1999. He led St. Thomas to consecutive NAIA National Championship appearances in 1998 and 1999, and was named Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year in ’98, leading the squad to the conference title. He coached six individuals to all-conference honors during his tenure. Pezzino has worked with three of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Instructors, and five of his former student-athletes are now golf professionals playing on various tours. His golf background also includes conducting junior golf clinics for Miami-Dade County and working for the South Florida PGA Section as a Rules Official.

THE HUSKY COACHING STAFF

Carl Girasoli completed his seventh season associated with the UConn golf program and has been the volunteer assistant coach since April, 2008. Carl is a native of Norwich, Conn. and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1962.

He served four years in the United States Air Force and then worked for 31 years with the Connecticut Department of Transportation as a Senior Engineer before retiring in 1997. Carl has two sons, Anthony (Tony) and Brian and two grandsons from Tony, Gio and Nico. Tony and Brian are both alumni of the University of Connecticut. Carl has also worked as a shop clerk at Mohegan Sun Country Club @ Pautipaug since April of 1998 and has been an active member at the Univer-sity Club of Connecticut (formerly Willimantic Country Club) since 1992.

HEAD COACH DAVE PEZZINO

VOLUNTEERASSISTANT COACH

CARL GIRASOLI

Pezzino was born on 3/22/72 in North Haven, Conn., and spent seven years living in Connecticut during his adolescent years. He attended Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, N.J., while living in Mahwah, N.J. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports administration from St. Thomas in 1997. Dave and his wife, Kristy were married in 1998. They are the parents of two sets of twins; Joseph and Matthew, born 2/26/04, and Daniel and Kaitlin, born 4/23/09.

Page 4: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

AT CONNECTICUT: Has appeared in 33 tournaments as a Husky, averaging 75.45 in 89 rounds and capturing two tournament titles. ... Named a BIG EAST Academic All-Star three consecutive years (2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11). Named All-BIG EAST, All-Northeast Region, and All-New England during the 2009-2010 season. FALL 2011: Played in six tournaments, highlighted by winning a four-man playoff at the Hartford Hawks Invitational to capture his second career tournament title. Shot a final-round 69 to tie three opponents for first place, then won the playoff on the second extra hole. Had two additional Top 10 finishes --- a tie for fourth place at the Connecticut Cup, and a tie for seventh at The Classic at Shelter Harbor. … Averaged 73.71 for 17 rounds to rank among the nation’s top 350 collegiate golf-ers. SPRING 2011: Played in three tournaments, best finish was at the Big East Men’s Golf Championship where he finished 42nd… averaged a per round score of 75.81 for the entire 2010-2011 season. FALL 2010: Competed in five tournaments, averaging a score of 74.5 … Finished second at The Connecticut Cup. SUMMER 2010: Tied for 20th at the prestigious Monroe Invitational in Pittsford, New York, including a third round 68. SPRING 2010: Played in four tournaments and finished the 2009-2010 season with a 74.08 average in 26 total rounds. FALL 2009: Averaged 72.4 in six events (14 rounds)... Captured individual medalist honors at the Adams Cup of Newport, shooting three straight 69’s... Named the Golfweek Magazine National Player of the Week... Also earned top ten finishes at the Connecticut Cup (T9th) and at the NEIGA Championship (T10th)... Shot a low round of 67 at the McLaughlin... Went 1-0-2 at The Match Play. SPRING 2009: Competed in six events (17 rounds), with his best finish coming at the Rice Intercollegiate (T36th). FALL 2008: Competed in three events for the Huskies, finishing with an average score of 79... His season was highlighted by a low round of 73 in the second round of the 74th Annual NEIGA Championship on October 20, where he finished in a tie for 30th place out of 211 competi-tors. HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year letter-winner at Shaker High School in Latham, N.Y.... Attended the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Fla. in 2006-07... Named All-State as a senior and was the No. 1-ranked golfer in New York State for several months during 2008, according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings... Earned three Top 20 AJGA finishes. PERSONAL: James E. Buchanan ... Born July 19, 1990 ... Son of Mark and Loretta Buchanan ... Home course is Olde Kinderhook Golf Club in Kinderhook, N.Y.

JEB BUCHANANSenior

Loudonville, N.Y.Shaker High School

Olde Kinderhook Golf Club

MEET THE HUSKIES

Page 5: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUTMEET THE HUSKIES

MATT DZIUBINASenior

Shelton, ConnShelton

Racebrook Country Club

AT CONNECTICUT: Transferred to UConn from Pace University and joined the team in the Fall of 2009. Has competed in 21 tournaments as a Husky with an average of 75.31 for 57 rounds, including a career-low round of 69. Earned All-New England honors in Fall, 2009. FALL 2011: Participated in all six tourna-ments for the Huskies, averaging 75.53 per round for 17 rounds. Best finish was capturing third place overall in The Classic at Shelter Har-bor (Westerly, R.I.), finishing just one shot shy of joining a playoff for the individual title, and helping UConn finish in second place. Also had another Top 15 finish (tie, 13th) at the Hartford Hawks Invitational. SPRING 2011: Played in four tournaments for the Huskies. Had a Top 5 finish at the Carib-bean Intercollegiate and a Top 10 finish at the New England D-1 Championships. Finished the 2010-2011 season with a per-round average of 74.94 in 17 total rounds. FALL 2010: Competed in two tournaments averaging 77.17 in six rounds. Best finish was tied for 16th at The Connecticut Cup. SUMMER 2010: Finished tied for sixth at the Palmer Cup and tied for 13th at The Con-necticut Open. SPRING 2010: Competed in four tourna-ments and finished the entire 2009-2010 season averaging 75.43 in 23 rounds. FALL 2009: Appeared in all five events in the fall and averaged 74.4 for 14 rounds. His best finish was a tie for eighth at the NEIGA Cham-pionship, earning his All-New England honors. Shot a low round of 71 twice, at the McLaughlin and the MacDonald Cup. HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time letter-winner at Shelton High for Coach LaPorta. … A 2007 All-State selection and two-time New Haven County All-Area pick. … Team captain and two-time Team MVP... Also lettered three seasons in basketball. PERSONAL: Matthew Ryan Dziubina. … Born July 13, 1989. … Son of Pierre and Cheryl Dziubina. … Home course is Racebrook Country Club in Orange, Conn.

Page 6: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

MEET THE HUSKIES

AT CONNECTICUT: Has participated in 25 tournaments in three-plus years and averaged 77.50 for 64 rounds. His best finish was a tie for 12th at the 2010 Connecticut Cup, while his low tournament round has been a 71 (twice). Named a BIG EAST Academic All-Star (2010-11). FALL 2011: Participated in six tournaments, averaging 77.88 for 17 rounds, including a final-round 71 at the Hartford Hawks Invitational. Best finish was a tie for 16th at The Classic at Shelter Harbor. SPRING 2011: Played in four tournaments, with a best finish of tied for 35th at the Caribbean Intercollegiate and the New England D-1 Champion-ships. Finished the 2010-2011 season with a per round average of 76.75 in 20 total rounds. FALL 2010: Appeared in four tournaments, finishing nine rounds with an average score of 75.89. Best finish was tied for twelfth at The Connecticut Cup. SPRING 2010: Competed in three tournaments, finishing three rounds. Averaged a 77.20 score for the entire 2009-2010 season. FALL 2009: Started two tournaments, the McLaughlin and the Adams Cup of Newport, but in-jured his knee at the Adams Cup and missed the rest of the season. ... Averaged 74.8 in his four full rounds, with a low round of 72 to open the McLaughlin. SPRING 2009: Played in three events (nine rounds), with his best finish a tie for 54th at the Linger Longer Invitational. FALL 2008: Competed in three tournaments and a total of eight rounds with an average score of 77.88. ... Had a strong debut tournament at the MacDonald Cup, finishing in 29th place out of 79... The MacDonald Cup was also the location of his two best rounds, where he had scores of 73 and 74 in the first and third rounds, respectively. HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letter-winner in the sport of golf at Lake Mary Prep for Coach Randy Parks. ... Named Team MVP and helped the squad to two district titles and a regional runner-up finish. ... He was ranked 14th in the state as a senior and finished 28th at the 2008 Florida State Championship. PERSONAL: Matthew J. Carroll ... Born Novem-ber 7, 1989 ... Son of Michael and Theresa Carroll... Home course is Heathrow Country Club in Heathrow, Fla.

MATT CARROLLSenior

Heathrow, Fla.Lake Mary Prep

Heathrow Country Club

Page 7: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUTMEET THE HUSKIES

AT CONNECTICUT: Has competed in 29 events as a Husky and has a career average score of 78.76. Named a BIG EAST Academic All-Star (2010-11), and also earned All-BIG EAST, All-Northeast Region, and All-New England First Team honors (Spring, 2010). FALL 2011: Appeared in four events for UConn, averaging 78.73 in 11 rounds. Best finish was a tie for 33rd place at The Connecticut Cup. SPRING 2011: Played in four events for the Huskies. Best finish was a tie for 36th at the Big East Men’s Golf Championship. Finished the 2010-2011 season with a per round average of 77 in 24 total rounds. FALL 2010: Competed in five tournaments, finishing with an average score of 75.92. Highlight was finishing tied for first at the 76th Annual NEIGA Championship, where he shot a career-low round of 68. SPRING 2010: Played in five events, barely losing the New England Championship in a playoff and finishing one shot out of a playoff in the Big East Championship. Earned All-Northeast, All-New England, and All-Big East honors. FALL 2009: Played in four events, averaging a 74.8 in eight rounds. His best finish was a tie for 15th at the Connecticut Cup. Went 2-1 at The Match Play. SPRING 2009: Played in three events, with his best finish a 59th-place standing at the BIG EAST Championship. FALL 2008: Participated in four events, averag-ing 79.73. Had a low round of 75 at the MacDonald Cup. Recorded 19 birdies as a freshman in his debut season, tying him for most on the squad. HIGH SCHOOL: Four-time letter-winner at The Gilbert School for his coach and mother, MaryEllen Vaccari. ... Four-time All-Berkshire League selection. ... Captured the 2008 Division IV State Championship at Fairview Farms in Harwinton, Conn., shooting a 70. ... All-State selection in 2008 and was the 2006 Connecticut PGA Junior Player of the Year. PERSONAL: Adam L. Vaccari... Born March 12, 1990. ... Son of Leo and MaryEllen Vaccari. ... Home courses are Greenwoods Country Club in Winsted, Conn., and Torrington Country Club in Torrington, Conn.

ADAM VACCARISenior

Winsted, Conn.The Gilbert School

Greenwoods Country ClubTorrington Country Club

Page 8: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

MEET THE HUSKIES

BRIAN HUGHESJunior

Fairfield, Conn.Fairfield Prep

H. Smith Richardson Golf Club

AT CONNECTICUT: Has seen ac-tion in 19 events as a Husky, averaging 75.71 per round in 51 career rounds. Has recorded two Top 10 and six Top 15 finishes. FALL 2011: Played in six tourna-ments, averaging 74.8 per round for 17 rounds, including a UConn career-low round of 69 (twice). Best finish was fifth place in the Hartford Hawks Invitational, followed by a 10th-place finish at The Connecticut Cup. Added two more Top-25 finishes with a 22nd place at the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate, and a 19th at the Adams Cup of Newport. SPRING 2011: Appeared in three events for the Huskies. Best finish was a tie for 24th at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate. Finished the 2010-2011 season with a per round average of 75.71 in 24 total rounds. FALL 2010: Competed in six tourna-ments averaging a 75.27 in 15 rounds. Had four Top 15 finishes. Best finish was seventh at the 76th Annual NEIGA Cham-pionship. SPRING 2010: Played in two events, with a top finish of tied for 17th. Finished first season with UConn averaging 77.20 in 10 rounds of play. FALL 2009: Played in the Connecti-cut Cup in the fall, shooting a low round of 75 and finishing tied for 45th. Went 1-1-1 at The Match Play. HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time letter-winner at Fairfield Prep for Coach Robert Bernier. ... All-State, All-Area and All-Conference selection. ... Shot a 70 to earn individual medalist honors in Division I High School State Championship in 2009 at Fairview Farms in Harwinton, Conn. ... Also lettered two seasons in swimming. PERSONAL: Brian J. Hughes. ... Born May 14, 1991. ... Son of Alan and Laurel Hughes. ... Home course is H. Smith Richardson Golf Club in Fairfield, Conn.

Page 9: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUTMEET THE HUSKIES

MICHAEL MASSOSophomore

Suffield, Conn.Suffield High School

Lake of Isles / The Ranch Golf Club

AT CONNECTICUT: Has played in one event at UConn, The Connecticut Cup, where he averaged 77.0 per round. FALL 2011: Participated in The Con-necticut Cup, earning a tie for 45th place and shooting a low round of 71. HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year varsity letter winner and three-year captain at Suffield High School under Coach Kyle McCullough. ... Named All-State as a junior and senior. ... Helped Suffield become runner-up in state tournament as a junior, when he was ranked second in the North Central Connecticut Conference. ... Led the NCCC in lowest stroke differential as a senior and also teamed with Andy Mai to win the Chappa Invitational. ... Scholar-athlete all four years. PERSONAL: Michael V. Masso. ... Born May 1, 1992. ... Son of Peter and Karen Masso. ... Has a brother and sister. … Home courses are Lake of Isles in North Stonington, Conn., and The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass.

Page 10: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

MEET THE HUSKIES

CHRIS WIATRFreshman

Woodbury, Conn.Canterbury School

Highfield Club / Country Club of Waterbury

AT CONNECTICUT: Has played in five events as a Husky, averaging 76.29 per round in 14 career rounds. Has re-corded three Top 25 finishes. FALL 2011: Played in five tourna-ments, averaging 76.29 per round for 14 rounds, with a UConn career-low of 72. Best finish was 12th at The Classic at Shelter Harbor (Westerly, R.I.) and also recorded solid finishes at the Hartford Hawks Invitational, where he tied for 19th, and The Connecticut Cup, where he tied for 22nd. HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time MVP and received the Coach’s Award while playing at Canterbury School in New Milford un-der Coach Bob Potter. … Twice named to All-New England Team and two-time New England Individual Champion. … Captured medalist honors 16 times … Semifinalist at 2010 International Junior Masters. … Youngest player (15) to ever qualify for the Connecticut State Open. ... Also played four years of varsity soccer (team captain as a senior), earning Western New England All-Star honors, and three years of varsity squash. PERSONAL: Christopher M. Wiatr. ... Born April 4, 1993. ... Son of Francis and Mary Wiatr. ... Has three older brothers and a twin sister. … Home courses are Highfield Club in Middlebury, Conn., and The Country Club of Waterbury in Water-bury, Conn.

Page 11: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUTMEET THE HUSKIES

DAN MYERSFreshman

Ridgefield, Conn.Ridgefield High School

Ridgefield Golf Club

AT CONNECTICUT: Has played in two events at UConn, averaging 79.0 per round in six career rounds, with a low round of 74. FALL 2011: Participated in the Turn-ing Stone Tiger Intercollegiate and The Connecticut Cup for the Huskies, earning a tie for 64th and a tie for 56th, respec-tively. HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letter-winner and served as team captain as a senior at Ridgefield High School under Coach Mike Merati. … Helped Ridgefield win the 2011 Connecticut Division I state championship. … Named to the Con-necticut Division I All-State First Team and All-Fairfield County First Team. maed wo-time MVP and received the Coach’s Award while playing at Canterbury School in New Milford under Coach Bob Potter. … Twice named to All-New England Team and two-time New England Individual Champion. … Captured medalist honors 16 times … Semifinalist at 2010 International Junior Masters. … Youngest player (15) to ever qualify for the Connecticut State Open. ... Also played four years of varsity soccer (team captain as a senior), earning Western New England All-Star honors, and three years of varsity squash. PERSONAL: Daniel K. Myers. ... Born October 19, 1992. ... Son of Daniel and Catherine Myers. ... Has a younger brother and younger sister. … Home course is Ridgefield Golf Club.

Page 12: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

MEET THE HUSKIES

DANE ROSAFreshman

Mansfield, Conn.E.O. Smith High School

University Club of Connecticut

AT CONNECTICUT: Has played in two events at UConn, The Adams Cup of Newport and The Connecticut Cup, aver-aging 79.83 per round for six rounds. FALL 2011: Played in the Adams Cup of Newport, finishing in a tie for 79th and shooting a low round of 75, and The Connecticut Cup, finishing in a tie for 79th and shooting a low round of 78. HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year varsity golf performer at E.O. Smith High School, serving as captain for three years, under Coach Marty Bissonette. ... Team MVP two consecutive years after setting the school record for most rounds as a medalist (13 of 15 matches his senior year). ... Earned All-State honors after a second-place finish at the state high school tourna-ment and advancing to the New England tourney. ... All-around athlete who earned the student-athlete award three times between golf, swimming and diving (2 years), indoor track & field (1 year), and four years of varsity soccer, scoring the second-most goals/assists on the team and helping E.O. Smith earn recognition as one of the top five high school soccer teams in the country. PERSONAL: Dane Coleman Rosa. ... Born Jan. 7, 1993. ... Son of Mike and Susan Rosa. ... Has two older sisters, Hailey and Lauren. … Home course is the University Club of Connecticut in Wind-ham.

Page 13: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

The 2011-12 season marked year five of a new era for the Univer-sity of Connecticut Golf program under Coach Dave Pezzino. Pezzino brought over a decade of coaching and teaching excellence to the program and the results of that expertise showed immediately in the fall of 2007, with three team top five finishes, including a second place finish at the New England Championship. The Fall of 2009 saw the Huskies capture the New England Cham-pionship, the first title under Pezzino. Jeb Buchanan also became the first individual medalist under Coach Pezzino when he won the Adams Cup of Newport by shooting three successive scores of 69. He was also named the Golfweek Magazine National Player of the Week. UConn finished sixth in the team competition against a standout field at the Adams Cup, despite having only four players for the final two rounds due to injury.

In the Fall of 2011, Pezzino guided the Huskies to a first-place finish in the 17-team Hartford Hawks Invitational, as Buchanan again captured individual medalist honors, winning a four-man playoff. UConn followed that with a third-place finish at The Connecticut Cup, and a second place in The Classic at Shelter Harbor. The Pezzino era has at UConn has been marked by an ambitious national schedule, giving the Huskies the opportunity to play on some of the best courses in the country and against the top collegiate com-petition in Division I. Pezzino took over the reins of the the Husky golf program from Ron Dubois, who had been the coach since August of 2002. The former U.S. Army colonel continued the excellence that has marked Connecti-cut golf for more than a half a century. The Huskies captured team titles in three of his five seasons, including the 2004 fall New England Championship. Under the tutelage of Dubois, Jason Parajeckas left his mark as one of the top golfers in Husky history. His career scoring average of 74.1 is a full stroke lower than any Husky golfer in the last 12 years. He was the No. 1-ranked golfer in the New England region and among the top 80 golfers nationally. For his career, Jason was a five-time individual champion, including medalist honors at the 2005 Fall New England Championship. He appeared in 38 career events and recorded top ten finishes in 18 of those 38 events. He was a three-time New England Intercollegiate Golf Association First Team selection, a two-time New England Division I First Team honoree and is also a two-time honoree by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Many of the great accomplishments of the program, including New England and BIG EAST Championships, came under the tutelage of Joe Giannelli, who earned several Coach of the Year honors in his 20 years as head coach from 1981-2000. After retiring in the summer of 2000, Giannelli remained with the team as Coach Emeritus until his death on December 9, 2002 after a valiant fight with cancer. Giannelli was a great loss to the university, the sport of golf and the program’s continuous commitment to excellence in all endeavors. A World War

II veteran, Gian-nelli also served as a football and lacrosse coach at UConn and was the President of the New England In terco l leg ia te Golf Association. The UConn Ath-letic Development Office maintains a Joe Giannelli Golf Fund in his mem-ory to help sustain the legacy of golf-ing excellence that he established at the University. The Huskies captured the 1994 BIG EAST title, paced by captain Greg Yeomans, an All-New England selection in 1994. UConn men’s golf has developed into one of the top programs in New England since its beginning as a varsity sport in 1941. For the first four decades, Connecticut participated as a member of the Yankee Conference, winning 12 championships. The Huskies then joined the powerful BIG EAST Conference as a charter member in 1979. In the 1999-2000 academic year, the BIG EAST Championship, traditionally held in the fall, moved to the spring season. The Huskies’ proud tradition of golf success has been highlighted by both team and individual honors. The 1992-93, 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 UConn squads competed in the NCAA East Regional Championships. The 1980 UConn golf team won the New England title and participated in the NCAA Championship tournament while the 1982, 1993, 1994 and 1997 squads won New England Intercol-legiate Golf Championships. Individual Husky stars who have qualified for the NCAA Championship event include: Mike Caprio (1984), Tim Heaney (1987), and Rich Pepin (1992). Caprio also received Aca-demic All-American honors in his senior year while Greg Metro (1998) joined him as an Academic All-American. In the past decade and a half, Connecticut has been among the top schools in regional and conference play. In 1998-99, the Huskies were ranked second in the region throughout the year after capturing two team titles and four runner-up titles over the course of both seasons. In the spring of 1993, UConn cap-tured the New England title. In the fall of 1993, the Hus-kies were crowned the ECAC Champions. UConn followed this title with its first-ever BIG EAST Conference Golf Championship in September of 1994 and UConn also shared the 1994 New England Championship.

JASON PARAJECKAS

GREG YEOMANS

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT GOLF

The UConn Golf team was honored at halftime of a men’s basketball game for cap-turing the 2009 New England title and for Jeb Buchanan’s Adams Cup title.

Page 14: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT GOLF

2011-121st Place, Hartford Hawks Invitational (fall)

2nd Place, The Classic at Sheltor Harbor (fall)3rd Place, The Connecticut Cup (fall)

2010-112nd Place, New England Championship (fall)

3rd Place, The Connecticut Cup (fall)3rd Place, Hartford Hawks Invitational (fall)

2009-101st Place, New England Championship (fall)

3rd Place, The Match Play (fall)

2007-082nd Place, New England Championship (fall)

2005-062nd Place, Quinnipiac Bobcat Invitiational (fall)3rd Place, ECAC Division I Championship (fall)3rd Place, New England Championship (fall)

1st Place, Hawks Invitational (fall)

2004-052nd Place, Yale Spring Open (spring)

2nd Place, New England Championship (spring)1st Place, New England Championship (fall)

1st Place, Quinnipiac Bobcat Invit. (fall)

2003-042nd Place, New England Championship (spring)

3rd Place, New England Championship (fall)

2002-031st Place, Yale Invitational (spring)

2001-022nd Place, Yale Invitational (fall)

2nd Place, URI Invitational (spring)

2000-012nd Place, URI Invitational (spring)

3rd Place, NEIGA (fall)3rd Place, Robert Morris Tournament (fall)

1999-20001st Place, vs. Quinnipiac (fall)

3rd Place, BIG FIVE Invitational (spring)

1998-991st Place, Army Invitational (fall)

1st Place, Hartford, Quinnipiac Tri-Meet (fall)2nd Place, New England Championship (spring)

2nd Place, Yale Invitational (spring)2nd Place, URI Invitational (spring)

2nd Place, BIG FIVE Invitational (spring)21st Place, NCAA Div. I East Regional (spring)

1997-983rd Place, New England Championship (spring)23rd Place, NCAA Div. I East Regional (spring)

3rd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

1996-971st Place, New England Championship (spring)

1st Place, Rhode Island Invitational (spring)23rd place, NCAA Div. I East Regional (spring)

1995-963rd Place, New England Championship (fall)

1st Place, Dartmouth Invitational (fall)1st Place, ECAC Southern NE Qualifier (fall)2nd place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

1994-953rd Place, New England Championship (spring)

1st Place, URI Invitational (spring)1st Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)1st Place, UConn Golf Invitational (fall)

1st Place, ECAC Southern NE Qualifier (fall)1st place (tie), New England Championship(fall)

1993-941st Place, URI Invitational (spring)

3rd Place, New England Championship (spring)1st Place, ECAC Championship (fall)

2nd Place, UConn Golf Invitational (fall)

1992-9322nd Place, NCAA East Regional (spring)

1st Place, New England Championship (spring)1st Place, URI Invitational (spring)

1st Place, Big Four Invitational (spring)1st Place, UConn Golf Invitational (fall)

2nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

1991-922nd Place, New England Championship (fall)

1988-893rd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

1984-852nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

1983-843rd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

1982-832nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

1st Place, New England Championship (fall)

1981-823rd Place, New England Playoffs (spring)2nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)

UConn Golf Top Finishes Through the Years

UConn Division of AthleticsQUICK FACTS

Location: Storrs, CT 06269-3078Founded: 1881Switchboard Phone: (860) 486-2000Enrollment: 28,083Colors: National Flag Blue (PMS 289) and WhiteNicknames: Huskies, UConnConference: BIG EASTPresident: Dr. Susan HerbstDirector of Athletics: Warde ManuelHead Coach: Dave PezzinoOffice Phone: (860) 486-6058EMail: [email protected] Web Site: UConnHuskies.com

2011 Spring Golf Results

2/11-12 The Match Play 1-2-1 TPC of Tampa Bay, Tampa, Fla.

2/21-22 Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate 13th Place Wexford Plantation G.C., Hilton Head, S.C.

3/7-9 Caribbean Intercollegiate T7th Place Costa Caribe Resort, Puerto Rico

3/25-27 FAU Spring Break Championship 14th Place Gleneagles CC, Delray Beach, Fla.

4/9-10 New England D-1 Championships T4th Place Newport National CC, Newport, R.I.

4/17-19 BIG EAST Men’s Golf Championship 10th Place Innisbrook Resort & G.C., Innisbrook, Fla.

2011 Fall Golf Results

9/4-5 Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate 8th Place Kaluhyat Golf Course, Verona, N.Y.

9/19-20 Adams Cup of Newport 9th Place Newport National GC, Newport, R.I.

9/26-27 Hartford Hawks Invitational 1st Place Bulls Bridge GC, South Kent, Conn.

10/10-11 The Connecticut Cup 3rd Place Ellington Ridge CC, Ellington, Conn.

10/15-16 The Classic at Shelter Harbor 2nd Place Shelter Harbor GC, Westerly, R.I.

10/31-11/1 Wendy’s Kiawah Classic T-15th Place Turtle Point GC, Kiawah Island, S.C.

Page 15: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

UN IVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2010-11Jeb Buchanan

Matthew CarrollChristopher DeLucia

Adam Vaccari

2009-10Jeb Buchanan

Christopher DeLuciaMatthew Dubrowski

2008-09Jeb Buchanan

Christopher DeLuciaL.J. ToschesJeremy Troy

2007-08Christopher DeLucia

A.J. SiekierskiBret SiekierskiBrian TravaljaL.J. Tosches

2006-07Bret SiekierskiA.J. SiekierskiDaniel White

Ryan DandeneauL.J. Tosches

2005-06Jonathan KleinA.J. Siekierski

Tim StroutL.J. ToschesDaniel White

2004-05Daniel White

Michael Murphy

2003-04Jonathan KleinMichael Murphy

Daniel White

2002-03Jordan Burke

Nathan ThomsenAnthony Hrenko

1999-2000James Poist

1998-1999Michael EshooSeth Hoenig

1997-1998Josh BittnerSeth Hoenig

Gregory MetroPeter Sagnella

1996-1997Seth GoodallGreg Metro

Peter Sagnella

1995-1996David Hufner

Christopher McKnettGregory MetroPeter Sagnella

1992-1993Ross Bielak

1987-1988Peter Vescovi

1985-1986Mark Capece

CONNECTICUT GOLFBIG EAST Academic All-Star Selections

COUNSELING PROGRAMFOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETES

The University of Connecticut is committed to each golfer, and all of its student-athletes, and their holistic development during their undergraduate career. Participation in athletics is important, but it represents only one aspect of the players college experience. At the University of Connecticut, academic achievement is the primary concern. Impressively, for the past six years, the Connecticut student-athlete retention rate has been 99.0 percent. The University’s commitment to the student-athlete is a dual one. Participation in athletics is not viewed as an obstacle to the attainment of one’s educational goals, rather it is seen as a complementary activity. Each supports the other. Athletic excellence is stressed, but academic achievement is never compro-mised - indeed, it is given the utmost priority. The University realizes that the golf team and all student-athletes, due to their academic involvement,

are required to commit a large percentage of their personal time to University-sponsored athletic activities. For this reason, the University recognizes the need for a support program for its intercollegiate athletes. The Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes (CPIA) constantly assists all student-athletes in achieving their academic goals. The CPIA staff serves as a liaison to the academic faculty, the Division of Athletics, and the student-athlete. In serving as a liaison between the Connecticut student-athletes and University faculty and staff, the CPIA counselors also provide assistance in securing appropriate support services available with the University. These include orientation for student-athletes, supervised study halls, individual tutors and tutorial centers (an English/Writing Center, Math Center and Reading Center), and learning skills seminars. With the advent of ever changing technology, all of the CPIA computer labs were updated with new equipment in the sum-mer of 2008 and allow students to access the world wide web as well as the Homer Babbidge library database that connects them to literally millions of the most recent scholarly research journals available.

Becky TaylorCPIA Counselor

UCONN GOLF-- A TRADITION OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Page 16: 2011-12 UConn Golf Media Guide

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

2011-12 UCONN GOLF

THE DAVID MARKS AND DR. ANN SAGALYN-MARKSGOLF PRACTICE AND TEACHING CENTER

UConn golfers have total access to their redesigned indoor facilities on the Storrs campus. The David Marks and Dr. Ann Sagalyn-Marks Golf Practice and Teaching Center in Gampel Pavilion features a 30-foot pitching area, a putting surface with multiple hole locations which facilitates various putting drills, a swing development booth with video swing analysis, individual lockers for each member of the team and a lounge and study area for the team with a 50” plasma television. The Full Swing Golf Simulator in the facility is the leading golf simulator on the market. Full Swing’s dual infrared ball tracking sytem has revolutionized the way golf simulators are measured. With a variety of simulated fairway, rough and sand lies at numerous golf courses around the world, the combination of ball speed, launch angle and real-time continuous visual ball flight makes the Full Swing experience a vital practice tool.

Long time donor David Marks and his wife Ann Sagalyn-Marks have established themselves as leaders in the support of the UConn’s men’s golf program. They are both avid golfers and their affection for the sport dates back many years. Their generosity has assisted the golf program in enhancing opportunities provided to its student-athletes. The Marks family has actively supported UConn Athletics for more than 25 years. In addition to the ongoing support for golf, the family has also shown its commitment to education through contributions to The Marks Family Scholarship Fund, which benefits student-athletes in the women’s basketball program. As annual season ticket holders for men’s and women’s basketball, David and Ann are frequently seen at games cheering on the Huskies. David received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969 and his Master of Business Administration in 1971 from the University of Connecticut. His outstanding career has featured a number of prestigious positions within the investment industry. David was named to the UConn School of Business Hall of Fame in 1994. This naming opportunity is a fitting reflection of David’s and Ann’s continuing commitment to the student-athletes who represent the University of Connecticut, particularly those who participate in the men’s golf program.