Men's Golf News - 2011-12
SAU men's golf teams earns All-Academic recognition
Aug. 2, 2012
GCAA release
St. Ambrose was just one of 12 NAIA men's golf programs to be recognized as
an All-Academic Team by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Teams must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average to be eligible for the
award.
England, Gillen earn NAIA PING All-Region
honors
June 12, 2012
GCAA release
  After
strong senior seasons, Travis England (left) and Ben Gillen (right) were named
to the 15-member NAIA PING All-North Region Men's Golf team as announced by the
Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
England, from Moline, Ill., averaged a team-leading 75.78 over 26 rounds this
year for St. Ambrose. He had four top-five finishes, including second place
efforts at both the Green Bay Invitational and the Clarke Fall Classic. England
fired a pair of 68s this year, coming in the final round at Clarke and on the
last day of the Western Illinois Beu/Mussatto Invitational.
Gillen, from Monmouth, Ill., was the low scorer in four events this year for
St. Ambrose and had three top-five finishes among seven top-10 showings. In
early April, Gillen carded a collegiate- and tournament-best 67 in the third
round of the Beu/Mussatto Invite. He averaged a 75.73 over 26 rounds this year.
Four Bees named to Academic All-America Teams
June 5, 2012
CoSIDA release
 Matt
Brahm (left) and Ben Gillen (right) were named to the 2012 Capital One Academic
All-America College Division Men's At-Large First Team today. The pair were
among four St. Ambrose student-athletes named to an All-America team after
earning all-district honors in May. Jacob Schertz (below left) was named to the
second team and Maggie Suchoski (below right) was picked for the women's
at-large third team.
The teams are comprised of student-athletes from NAIA, Canadian and two-year
institutions and are selected by the College Sports Information Directors of
America (CoSIDA) based on the students' work on the court and in the classroom.
Student-athletes participating in women's bowling, women's crew, men's and
women's fencing, women's field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's
gymnastics, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and
women's rifle, men's and women's skiing, men's and women's swimming, men's and
women's tennis, men's volleyball, men's and women's water polo and men's
wrestling are eligible for the at-large teams.
  The
four joined first teamers Nick Hauge (football) and Chris Donnelly (men's
basketball) to give St. Ambrose six Academic All-Americans in 2011-12.
Brahm, a Finance and Economics major, recently completed his senior season
for the St. Ambrose men's volleyball team. The 6-3 outside hitter from Elmhurst,
Ill., was a key contributor for a Bee team that was the top-ranked squad in the
nation for most of the year and finished as the national runner-up for the
second straight season. Brahm finished second on the team and 12th in the
country with 27 service aces and is second in school history with 83 career
aces. He finished his senior campaign with 87 kills, 100 digs, 14 total blocks
and nine assists.
Gillen and Schertz wrapped up their careers with the Bee men's golf team this
spring. Gillen, a Finance and Economics major from Monmouth, Ill., was the low
scorer in four events this year for St. Ambrose and had three top-five finishes
among his seven top-10 finishes. In early April, Gillen carded a collegiate- and
tournament-best 67 in the third round of the Beu/Mussatto Invitational hosted by
Western Illinois University. He averaged a 75.73 over 26 rounds this year and
led SAU with a ninth-place effort at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Men's
Golf Championship.
Schertz, a Finance and Economics and Accounting major from Byron, Ill.,
averaged a 78.62 over 26 rounds this year for the Bees. He recorded three top-10
finishes, including a third-place showing at the Iowa Wesleyan Fun City Classic.
Schertz also led St. Ambrose with a fourth-place finish at the Augustana
Invitational in mid-April and was eighth at the Clarke Fall Classic in
September.
Suchoski, a Physics major from Evergreen Park, Ill., just concluded her
sophomore season with the SAU bowling team. She was a member of the team that
won the Viterbo Invitational roll-off, giving St. Ambrose its first women's
bowling team championship, and helped the Bees take fifth at a USBC Sectional
Qualifier. Suchoski was fourth on the team with a 177.15 average over 46 games
this year. Her best finish was a 12th-place showing at the Warhawk Open after
she knocked down 1,113 total pins over six games for a 185.50 average.
Four Bees named Capital One Academic All-District
May 21, 2012
CoSIDA
release
Matt
Brahm, Ben Gillen (left), Jacob Schertz (right) and Maggie Suchoski were named
to the 2011-12 Capital One Academic All-District Men's and Women's At-Large
Teams today. The four represent District 5 in the College Division, which
includes NAIA and two-year schools from Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota
and Wisconsin.
The honor, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America
(CoSIDA), recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined
performances on the playing field and in the classroom. Nominees must be a
starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point
average. Student-athletes participating in women's bowling, women's crew, men's
and women's fencing, women's field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and
women's gymnastics, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse,
men's and women's rifle, men's and women's skiing, men's and women's swimming,
men's and women's tennis, men's volleyball, men's and women's water polo and
men's wrestling are eligible for the at-large teams.
By earning all-district accolades, the four will now advance to the Capital
One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team
All-America honorees will be selected later this month.
Brahm
(right) recently completed his senior season for the St. Ambrose men's
volleyball team. The 6-3 outside hitter from Elmhurst, Ill., was a key
contributor for a Bee team that was the top-ranked squad in the nation for most
of the year and finished as the national runner-up for the second straight
season. Brahm finished second on the team and 12th in the country with 27
service aces and is second in school history with 83 career aces. He finished
his senior campaign with 87 kills, 100 digs, 14 total blocks and nine assists.
Brahm majored in Finance and Economics at SAU.
Gillen and Schertz wrapped up their careers with the Bee men's golf team this
spring. Gillen, from Monmouth, Ill., was the low scorer in four events this year
for St. Ambrose and had three top-five finishes among his seven top-10 finishes.
In early April, Gillen carded a collegiate- and tournament-best 67 in the third
round of the Beu/Mussatto Invitational hosted by Western Illinois University. He
averaged a 75.73 over 26 rounds this year and led SAU with a ninth-place effort
at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Men's Golf Championship. Gillen majored in
Finance and Economics at St. Ambrose.
Schertz,
from Byron, Ill., averaged a 78.62 over 26 rounds this year for the Bees. He
recorded three top-10 finishes, including a third-place showing at the Iowa
Wesleyan Fun City Classic. Schertz also led St. Ambrose with a fourth-place
finish at the Augustana Invitational in mid-April and was eighth at the Clarke
Fall Classic in September. He majored in Finance and Economics and Accounting at
St. Ambrose.
Suchoski (right), from Evergreen Park, Ill., just concluded her sophomore
season with the SAU bowling team. She was a member of the team that won the
Viterbo Invitational roll-off, giving St. Ambrose its first women's bowling team
championship, and helped the Bees take fifth at a USBC Sectional Qualifier.
Suchoski was fourth on the team with a 177.15 average over 46 games this year.
Her best finish was a 12th-place showing at the Warhawk Open after she knocked
down 1,113 total pins over six games for a 185.50 average. She is majoring in
Physics at SAU.
Gillen receives all-conference honorable mention
May 9, 2012
MCC release
Ben
Gillen (right) capped his St. Ambrose golfing career by earning all-conference
honorable mention as the Midwest Collegiate Conference released its post-season
awards today.
The senior from Monmouth, Ill., was second on the team with a 75.73 scoring
average over 26 rounds this year. He recorded seven top-10 finishes, including a
third-place showing at the Clarke Fall Classic in mid-September. Gillen wrapped
up the fall portion of the schedule by shooting the low score for the Bees in
four straight tournaments, including the NAIA National Preview Tournament in
Salem, Ore., and the NAIA Midwest Invitational at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
In early April, Gillen fired a third-round 67, the low round of his
competitive collegiate career, to finish 27th overall at the Western Illinois
University Beu/Mussatto Invitational.
Gillen finished his SAU career by leading St. Ambrose with a three-round 223
(77-73-73) at the MCC Championship.
Krehbiel latest to commit to St. Ambrose men's golf
team
Apr. 24, 2012
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff Griebel is excited to announce
the signing of one of the top high school golfers from the State of Iowa.
Brian Krehbiel, a senior at Central Lee High School (Iowa) has committed to
attend St. Ambrose in the fall 2012. He is the son of Willis and Laura Krehbiel
of Donnellson, Iowa.
Krehbiel finished in third place individually in the 2011 Iowa High School
Class 2A Boys State Golf Tournament and was named IHSA Class 2A First Team
All-State. He was first team all-conference his sophomore and junior years and
holds the Central Lee High School boys golf school record for lowest season
scoring average at 37.1 in 2011. He was medalist in 10 of 13 meets during his
junior year.
"I am very pleased that Brian Krehbiel will be joining our golf program next
season," Griebel said. "He is one of the top high school golfers in Iowa Class
2A and will be an impact player for our program the next four years."
Krehbiel will be joining a St. Ambrose golf team that has qualified for the
NAIA Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a
school record third-place team finish in 2004. St. Ambrose hosted the NAIA Men’s
Golf National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in 2009, 2010 and
2011.
SAU takes fourth place at MCC Championship
Apr. 21, 2012
Results
Ben
Gillen (right) finished ninth overall to lead St. Ambrose to a fourth-place
showing at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Men's Golf Championship.
Playing 36 holes Friday, Gillen shot 77-73 and then wrapped up the conference
tournament with another 73 Saturday for a three-round 223 at Blue Top Ridge Golf
Club in Riverside, Iowa.
Travis England was the next SAU finisher, taking 22nd in the 50-team field
with a 230 (74-75-81). Andrew Canfield was 26th with a 234 (79-74-81) and Jake
Schertz finished 31st with a 239 (79-82-78).
After back-to-back rounds of 76, Luke Johnson was forced to withdraw early in
Saturday's round.
As a team, St. Ambrose shot a 917 (306-298-313). The Bees held off Viterbo
(307-298-314=919) and William Penn (313-302-305=920) for fourth place.
Grand View won the conference title going away. The Vikings (289-282-286)
shot an 857, 22 shots better than second-place Mount Mercy (297-290-292=879).
GVU's Yousaf Khan shot a 5-under 211 (71-71-69) and defeated Mount Mercy's Derek
McConnell (73-70-68=211) in a second playoff hole to take individual medalist
honors.
Former All-American attends signing ceremony for
new Bee
Apr. 17, 2012
Release on Wilson's signing
 One of
the all-time St. Ambrose golfing greats recently attended the signing ceremony
of one of the newest Bee golfers.
Skip Berkmeyer, a 1994 First Team All-American, was on hand at Chaminade High
School in St. Louis, Mo., on Thursday, April 12, as Steve Wilson signed his
letter of intent to join the SAU golf program beginning in the fall of 2012.
Berkmeyer is an alumni of Chaminade High School, where Wilson currently
attends.
Berkmeyer, a 1996 graduate of St. Ambrose, placed 13th at the 1994 NAIA Men's
Golf National Championship on his way to earning All-American status. In 2002,
he was inducted into the SAU Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments.
Wilson has been medalist in 22 high school matches through his junior year at
Chaminade and was the 2011 district tournament runner-up.
Schertz finishes fourth at Augustana Invitational
Apr. 14, 2012
Results
Another
strong second day vaulted St. Ambrose to a fifth-place finish at the 22-team
Augustana Invitational. The Bees opened with a first-round 315 before recovering
to shoot a 298 Saturday at Pinnacle Country Club in Milan, Ill.
The 613 total was good for fifth place. Illinois Wesleyan won the tournament
with a 593 (300-293).
All five Bees improved their scores in round two. Jake Schertz (right) led
the way. Schertz followed his opening-round 77 with a 1-under 70 to finish in
fourth place with a 147.
Travis England (78-75) and Ben Gillen (79-74) tied for 20th overall with
matching 153s. Joe Habecker shot a 160 (81-79) and Luke Johnson carded a 166
(84-82).
A second SAU team finished 12th with a 642 (324-318). Luke Staudt was the top
Bee, placing 28th after rounds of 78 and 77 for a 155 total.
St. Ambrose will next host the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championship
Friday and Saturday at Blue Top Ridge Golf Club in Riverside, Iowa, with an
automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship on the line.
St. Ambrose competes with nation's best at NAIA Classic
Apr. 10, 2012
Results
Competing with some of the top teams in the country, St. Ambrose finished
17th at the NAIA Classic at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Club in Indianapolis,
Ind.
The Bees shot an opening 319 but struggled to a second-day 339 to finish with
a two-round total of 658 for 17th place. Malone won the tournament with a 603
(302-301).
SAU was led by Travis England, Ben Gillen and Jake Schertz. The three tied
for 46th overall with 160s. England (right) was consistent, shooting back-to-back 80s.
Gillen put together rounds of 76 and 84, and Schertz shot a 75-85.
Luke Johnson (88-90) finished with a 178 for 87th place. Andrew Canfield shot
an 89 before withdrawing from the tournament.
The Bees will take a day off before competing in the one-day Clarke
University Spring Invitational at Eagle Ridge Golf Course (South) in Galena,
Ill., Thursday.
Johnson places fifth at Ashford Spring Invitational
Apr. 7, 2012
Results
Luke Johnson opened the two-day Ashford Spring Invitational with a 71 and
followed with a 78 to place fifth overall with a 149. He led St. Ambrose to a
sixth-place team finish in the 11-team event played at Blue Top Ridge Golf Club
in Riverside, Iowa, Friday and Saturday.
Travis England finished 24th individually with a 156. He put together rounds
of 79 and 77. Right behind England was Ben Gillen, who finished 28th with a 157
(79-78). Jake Schertz had an opening-round 80 and followed with an 82 to finish
40th with a 162.
After shooting a 76 Friday, Andrew Canfield withdrew and did not compete
Saturday.
The Bees (305-315) shot 620 as a team to take sixth, just three shots behind
fifth-place Ashford. Mount Mercy won the tournament with a 588.
St. Ambrose will immediately travel to Indianapolis, Ind., to compete in the
NAIA Classic Monday and Tuesday at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Club.
England finishes fifth at spring-opening Beu/Mussatto
Invite
Apr. 3, 2012
Results
 After
a slow start, St. Ambrose rebounded to finish ninth at the Beu/Mussatto
Invitational hosted by Western Illinois University. And leading the way in the
first tournament of the spring for the Bees was Travis England.
England (right) finished in a tie for fifth after closing with a third-round
68 Tuesday. He opened with rounds of 79 and 70 Monday to finish with a 217.
England's third round was bettered by only one player - teammate Ben Gillen,
who fired a 67, the low round of the day. The 67 is the lowest round of Gillen's
competitive collegiate career.
Gillen started with rounds of 84 and 77 to finish 27th overall with a 228.
Andrew Canfield was consistent, firing rounds of 80, 77 and 77 to
finish 42nd with a 234. Jake Schertz (88-81-82) and Luke Johnson (82-83-86) tied
for 74th with 251s.
The Bees had to overcome a first-round 325 which placed them way back in the
15-team field. St. Ambrose shot a 305 to wrap up Monday's play and came back
with a 294 to climb into ninth place with a three-round total of 924.
SAU will have a busy weekend by first competing in the two-day Ashford Spring
Invitational at Blue Top Ridge Golf Club in Riverside, Iowa, Friday and
Saturday. The team will then head to Indianapolis, Ind., to play in the NAIA
Classic at Brickyard Crossing Golf Club Apr. 9-10.
Golf team greeted by Elmer Zost '45
Mar. 23, 2012
Dozens of alumni joined the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees men's squad for golf
during their annual trek to Southern California during spring break. Elmer Zost
'45 didn't golf, but he was tickled to greet the Bees when they played a round
at Indian Ridge CC in Palm Desert. He lives with his family alongside the
course.
Anderson latest to commit to St. Ambrose
Mar. 5, 2012
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf and Bowling Coach Jeff Griebel is excited
to announce the signing of one of the top high school athletes from the Quad
City area.
Josh Anderson a senior at Muscatine High School (Iowa) has signed a letter of
intent and will attend St. Ambrose in the fall 2012.
Anderson competed in golf and bowling at Muscatine High School but will
concentrate his efforts next fall with the St. Ambrose men’s bowling squad.
Anderson was chosen the 2012 Boys Bowler of the Year in the Mississippi
Athletic Conference (MAC) as well as being named to the MAC Boys Bowling First
Team All-Conference squad.
In golf, Anderson was also named to the 2012 MAC First Team All-Conference
Boy’s Golf Squad. He was the district golf medalist his senior year and led the
MAC conference with a competitive stroke average of 38.7. He was named to the
Second Team IHSA Boys Golf All-State Team in 2011. Anderson was also named to
the 2011 Quad City Times All-Area Boys Golf Team. He was the only Mississippi
Athletic Conference golfer to earn all-state honors in 2011 from the Iowa High
School Golf Coaches Association.
"We are very pleased to continue to attract the top high school talent in the
Quad City area with the addition of Josh Anderson to our program," said Coach
Griebel. "He is a two-sport athlete, excellent student and great addition to our
programs at St. Ambrose."
Pictured below are front row (left to right): Teresa Anderson (mother),
Josh Anderson, Don Anderson (grandfather); back row: SAU bowling and men's golf
coach Jeff Griebel, Muscatine HS bowling coach Brian Chapman
St. Ambrose #21 in Golf World/Nike Golf poll
Feb. 29, 2012
Complete poll
In the first poll of 2012, St. Ambrose is #21 in the Golf World/Nike
Golf NAIA College Coaches' Poll, released today. The poll, combining the
resources of Golf World magazine, Nike Golf and the Golf Coaches
Association of America (GCAA), will also appear in the Mar. 5 issue of the
magazine.
St. Ambrose will open the spring portion of its 2012 season with its annual
spring trip to Palm Springs, Calif. The Bees will first compete at the Beu/Mussatto
Western Illinois University Invitational Apr. 2-3.
Oklahoma Christian earned 11 of the 15 first-place votes to retain the top
spot in the rankings. Oklahoma City is #2, followed by SAU's Midwest Collegiate
Conference rival Grand View at #3. Lee and Northwood (Fla.) round out the top
five.
Fellow MCC school Viterbo received votes in the poll and is sitting just
outside the top 25.
Waterloo teammates Huff and Maiers sign with SAU
Feb. 22, 2012
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff Griebel is excited to announce
the signing of two high school golfers from the Waterloo, Iowa, area.
Andrew Huff and Mitch Maiers, seniors at Columbus High School in Waterloo,
will attend St. Ambrose University in the fall 2012.
Huff finished third in sectionals in 2009 and was second in 2011. He was the
runner-up in the IHSAA district tournament in 2010 and 2011.
Maiers was medalist at the South Tama Invitational in 2011 and was named
first team all-conference and first team all-state for boys golf in 2010.
"We are very pleased to have Andrew Huff and Mitch Maiers joining our golf
program next season," said Griebel. "They have played for a very talented and
successful high school program at Waterloo Columbus and will bring experience
and confidence to our team next fall."
The pair will be joining a St. Ambrose golf
team that has qualified for the NAIA Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of
the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a school record third-place team finish
in 2004. St. Ambrose hosted the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships at TPC
Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Pictured below, from left to right: Andrew Huff, Mitch Maiers and SAU head
coach Jeff Griebel.
Michalowicz signs with St. Ambrose Men's Golf Team
Feb. 21, 2012
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff
Griebel is excited to announce the signing of one of the top high school golfers
from the Chicago, Ill., area.
Andrew Michalowicz, a senior at Lockport
Township High School (Ill.) has signed a letter of intent and will attend St.
Ambrose in the fall 2012.
Michalowicz received first team all-conference
recognition his senior year, finishing eighth in the boys conference golf
tournament and qualifying as an individual for the Illinois High School (IHSAA)
Boys Golf Class 3A State Tournament.
Michalowicz was the 2011 recipient of the Porter
Pride Award which is presented each year by the Lockport Township High School’s
athletic department to one student-athlete who exemplifies the school's core
values of hard work, discipline, confidence, team work, character and academics.
"We are extremely excited to have Andrew
Michalowicz joining our golf program next season," said Griebel. "He is a hard working and dedicated golfer and is a great addition to
our 2012 freshman class."
Michalowicz will be joining a St. Ambrose golf
team that has qualified for the NAIA Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of
the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a school record third-place team finish
in 2004. St. Ambrose hosted the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships at TPC
Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
St. Ambrose adds
Miehe to 2012-13 recruiting class
Feb. 6, 2012
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff Griebel is excited to announce
the signing of one of the top high school golfers from the Dubuque, Iowa, area.
Bradley Miehe, a senior at Dubuque Hempstead High School has signed a letter
of intent and will attend St. Ambrose in the fall 2012.
Miehe was named Second Team All-Conference in 2011 for the Boys Golf
Mississippi Conference - Valley Division. He finished third individually in the
Dubuque Boys Golf City Tournament in 2011 and was fourth in 2010. Miehe was
seventh in the overall standings for the 2011 Iowa PGA Junior Tour, 16-18
year-old division (2/5 tournaments played).
"We are very pleased that Bradley Miehe will be joining our golf program next
season," Griebel said. "Bradley has shown tremendous improvement in his golf
game during his four years at Dubuque Hempstead and will continue to mature as a
player the next four years at St. Ambrose."
Miehe will be joining a St. Ambrose golf team that has qualified for the NAIA
Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a school
record third-place team finish in 2004. St. Ambrose hosted the NAIA Men’s Golf
National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois in 2009, 2010 and
2011.
DeBartolo latest to
commit to St. Ambrose golf team
Feb. 2, 2012
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff Griebel is excited to announce
the signing of one of the top high school golfers from the state of Iowa.
Ricky DeBartolo, a senior at Dowling Catholic High School (Iowa) has signed a
letter of intent and will attend St. Ambrose in the fall 2012. He is the son of
Richard and Rita DeBartolo of Johnston, Iowa.
DeBartolo finished in 18th place individually in the 2011 Iowa High School
Class 4A Boys State Tournament, helping lead Dowling Catholic to a third-place
team finish. He was named to the 2011 IHSA Boys Golf Class 4A All-Tournament
Team. DeBartolo finished second in the 2011 Des Moines Boys City Golf Tournament
and finished third in 2010. He was the team captain for the 2011 Dowling
Catholic Boys Golf Team.
"We are very pleased that Ricky DeBartolo will be joining our golf program
next season," Griebel said. "He has played for one of the most successful high
school programs in the state of Iowa at Dowling Catholic and will bring
experience and confidence to our team at St. Ambrose University next fall."
DeBartolo will be joining a St. Ambrose golf team that has qualified for the
NAIA Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a
school-record third-place team finish in 2004. SAU hosted the NAIA Men’s Golf
National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Billups signs
to golf at St. Ambrose
Jan. 20, 2012
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff Griebel is excited to announce
the signing of one of the top high school golfers from the Chicago area.
Blake Billups, a senior at Joliet (Ill.) West High School has signed a letter
of intent and will attend St. Ambrose in the fall 2012.
Billups was the team captain for the Joliet West High School boys golf team
his junior and senior year. He won 11 individual tournament titles during his
high school career including two IHSAA regional championships. He received first
team all-conference recognition as a junior and senior.
In 2010, Billups teamed with PGA Golf professional Chip Beck to finish in
16th place individually at the PGA Champions Tour Nature Valley First Tee Open
Golf Tournament played at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, Calif. He also
competed in the First Tee Open in 2011 but his team missed the cut that year.
"We are extremely excited to have Blake Billups joining our golf program next
season," Griebel said. "He is one of the top high school golfers in the Chicago
area and is a great addition to our program at St. Ambrose University."
Billups will be joining a St. Ambrose golf team that has qualified for the
NAIA Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a
school record third-place team finish in 2004. St. Ambrose hosted the NAIA Men’s
Golf National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in 2009, 2010 and
2011.
Wilson latest to
commit to SAU golf team
Dec. 20, 2011
 St. Ambrose
University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff Griebel is excited to announce the signing of
one of the top high school golfers from the St. Louis area.
Stephen Wilson (right), a senior at Chaminade College Prep High School (Mo.)
has signed a letter of intent and will attend St. Ambrose beginning in the fall
2012. He is the son of Kristin and Jack Wilson of St. Louis, Mo.
Wilson has been medalist in 22 high school matches from his freshman to
junior year at Chaminade and was the 2011 district tournament runner-up. He
finished third in the St. Louis Metropolitan Catholic Conference Boy’s Golf
Tournament and was a high school state individual qualifier in 2011. He had
seven top-five finishes in 2011 summer junior tournaments and was voted the team
captain for the 2011-12 Chaminade boy’s golf team.
Stephen’s parents are both graduates of St. Ambrose University. His mother
Kristin played on the St. Ambrose women’s golf team for Coach Griebel in 1987
and 1988.
"We are very pleased to have a player the caliber of Stephen Wilson joining
our golf program next season," said Griebel. "He has played for a very
successful high school program at Chaminade College Prep and will bring
experience and confidence to our team next fall."
Wilson will be joining a St. Ambrose golf team that has qualified for the
NAIA Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a
school-record third-place team finish in 2004. St. Ambrose hosted the NAIA Men’s
Golf National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in 2009, 2010 and
2011.
Palonis signs
to golf at St. Ambrose
Dec. 12, 2011
St. Ambrose University Men’s Golf Coach Jeff Griebel is excited to announce
the signing of one of the top junior college golfers from the suburban Chicago
area.
Ricky Palonis, currently a freshman at Moraine Valley Junior College (Ill.)
has signed a letter of intent and will transfer to St. Ambrose in the fall 2012.
Palonis will have three years of athletic eligibility remaining at St. Ambrose.
He is a 2011 graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Ill.
Palonis was individual medalist in five collegiate tournaments in the fall
2011, including the NJCAA Region IV Championship and was named to the All-Region
IV First Team.
In high school, Palonis was the medalist in the Southwest Suburban Conference
Boys Golf Championship both his junior and senior year and was named First Team
Boys Golf All-Conference as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior.
"Ricky Palonis will be a great addition to our men’s golf program the next
three years," Griebel said. "He is one of the top-ranked junior college players
in Illinois this year and will be an immediate impact player for us next fall."
Palonis will be joining a St. Ambrose golf team that has qualified for the
NAIA Men’s Golf National Tournament 18 of the last 20 years. St. Ambrose had a
school-record third-place team finish in 2004. St. Ambrose hosted the NAIA Men’s
Golf National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in 2009, 2010 and
2011.
Bees up to #20 in
final Golf World/Nike Golf poll of the fall
Nov. 28, 2011
Complete poll
St. Ambrose is up to #20 in the final Golf World/Nike Golf NAIA
College Coaches' Poll of the fall season released today. The poll, combining the
resources of Golf World magazine, Nike Golf and the Golf Coaches
Association of America (GCAA), will also appear in the Nov. 28 issue of Golf
World.
Despite having not played since a second-place finish at the Iowa
Intercollegiate on Oct. 25, the Bees moved up two spots from the previous poll,
released back on Nov. 2.
Oklahoma Christian collected all 12 first-place votes to remain the
top-ranked team in the country. Midwest Collegiate Conference rival Grand View
is second, followed by Oklahoma City, Lee and Northwood (Fla.).
Fellow MCC schools Viterbo, Mount Mercy and Ashford also received votes in
the poll.
Bees ranked #22
in NAIA Men's Golf Coaches' Preseason Poll
Nov. 11, 2011
NAIA release
St. Ambrose grabbed the #22 ranking in the NAIA Men's Golf Coaches' Preseason
Top 25 Poll, released by the national office today. The Bees are also ranked #22
in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf NAIA College Coaches' Poll which was
released on Nov. 2.
Defending national champion Oklahoma Christian picked up 14 of the 17
first-place votes to sit atop the poll. Grand View had the other three
first-place votes to get second. Oklahoma City, Northwood (Fla.) and Lee (Tenn.)
round out the top five.
SAU ranked #22 in
Golf World/Nike Golf NAIA Coaches' Poll
Nov. 2, 2011
Complete poll
St. Ambrose is ranked #22 in the Golf World/Nike Golf NAIA College
Coaches' Poll that was released today and will appear in the Nov. 7 issue of
Golf World. The poll combines the resources of Golf World magazine,
Nike Golf and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
The Bees won the Clarke University Fall Classic and finished second in three
other events this fall. SAU will go on a Spring Break trip to Palm Springs,
Calif., March 11-18 before opening the spring portion of the schedule at the Beu/Mussatto
Western Illinois University Invitational April 2-3.
Oklahoma Christian, which won the NAIA Championship in the spring, is the
top-ranked team in the poll by claiming eight of the 14 first-place votes. The
Eagles won the Texoma Championship and added a pair of top-four finishes in NCAA
Division I tournaments.
Fellow Midwest Collegiate Conference member Grand View is #2 in the poll and
received two first-place votes. Lee, Texas Wesleyan and Johnson & Wales round
out the top five.
The MCC is also represented by Viterbo, Mount Mercy and Ashford, who all
received votes in the poll.
Bees conclude fall
season with second place at Iowa Intercollegiate
Oct. 25, 2011
Results
Ben
Gillen (left) was fourth and Travis England (right) took sixth as St. Ambrose
wrapped up the fall portion of its schedule with a second-place finish at the
Iowa Intercollegiate at Amana Colonies Golf Club in Amana, Iowa.
Gillen had rounds of 74 and 77 for a two-day total of 151 while England was
just a shot back with rounds of 74 and 78 for a 152 total.
The pair helped St. Ambrose shoot a 625 (311-314) to finish second in the
11-team tournament. Mount Mercy won the event with a 618.
Andrew Canfield carded an 81-79=160 to take 18th place. Luke Johnson (82-80)
shot a 162 for 26th place and Jake Schertz (84-88) had a 172 for 35th.
Gillen 10th as Bees
finish fifth at NAIA Midwest Fall Classic
Oct. 14, 2011
Results
Ben Gillen
(right) shot back-to-back rounds of 77 to finish 10th overall with a 154
at the NAIA Midwest Fall Classic hosted by St. Ambrose. Gillen helped the Bees
finish fifth as a team at the two-day event played at TPC Deere Run in Silvis,
Ill.
Jake Schertz and Travis England also added top-20 finishes for SAU. Schertz
was just a shot behind Gillen with his 78-77=155 to finish 12th. England fired
an opening-round 76 before finishing with an 81 to take 19th with a 157. Luke
Johnson (79-88) was 45th with a 167. John Walsh shot a second-round 85.
As a team, St. Ambrose finished with a 310-320=630 to take fifth in the
13-team tournament. William Woods won with a 613.
A second SAU team placed ninth, led by Andrew Canfield. Canfield had rounds
of 82 and 78 for a 160, to finish 28th. Alex Larson (79-85=164), Justin Gestout
(82-84=166), Jake Alexander (81-86=167) and Brent Anderson (88-81=169) also
competed for the second SAU team.
Playing as individuals, Luke Staudt finished with a 171 and Bryan Contey had
a 174.
The Bees will wrap up the fall portion of their schedule Oct. 24-25 at the
Iowa Intercollegiate at the Amana Colonies Golf Club.
SAU seventh at NAIA
Fall Preview
Oct. 4, 2011
Results
In a
sneak peek at what the Bees hope will be a return to the NAIA National
Championship in the spring, St. Ambrose finished seventh at the 20-team NAIA
Fall Preview at Creekside Golf Club in Salem, Ore.
The tournament, featuring several of the top teams in the nation, gives teams
an opportunity to play the course that will host the 2011 NAIA National
Championship.
SAU had a strong seventh-place showing behind Ben Gillen (right) and Luke
Johnson. Gillen finished 24th overall after rounds of 74-78 for a 152 total and
Johnson was 30th after shooting 77-76 for a 153.
The rest of the Bees fell in line with Travis England (75-79=154) finishing
35th, John Walsh (76-79=155) taking 40th and Jake Schertz (78-78=156) ended in
45th place.
After an opening-round 302, SAU shot a 311 Tuesday to finish with a 613.
Texas Wesleyan won the event with a 588 total (290-298).
The Bees will hope to get another crack at the course in the spring in what
would be the team's 24th national tournament appearance in head coach Jeff
Griebel's 30-year tenure at St. Ambrose.
SAU will next host the NAIA Midwest Invitational at TPC Deere Run in Silvis,
Ill., Oct. 13-14.
Bees finish third at
24-team Dubuque Invitational
Sept. 25, 2011
Results
Led by
Ben Gillen, St. Ambrose finished third at the 24-team Dubuque Bishops Buffet
Invitational played at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Galena, Ill.
Gillen (right) took fifth in the 125-player field with a 1-over par 145. He
shot a 73 Saturday before carding an even-par 72 Sunday.
Jake Schertz had rounds of 77 and 72 for a 149 total to place 12th overall
and Travis England was 16th after shooting 76-74=150.
Luke Johnson (74-80) finished with a 154 and Joe Habecker (74-81) had a 154
for the Bees.
Mount Mercy's Derek McConnell was the individual medalist with a 3-under 141
(72-69). Central College won the team championship with a 587 (297-290).
St. Ambrose will next travel to Salem, Ore., to compete in the NAIA National
Preview Tournament at Creekside Golf Club Oct. 3-4.
St. Ambrose wins
Clarke Fall Classic
Sept. 19, 2011
Results
Four Bees finished in the top 10 as St. Ambrose won the Clarke University
Fall Classic at Thunder Hills Country Club in Peosta, Iowa, by 23 strokes.
Sitting in a first-place tie with host Clarke after Sunday's opening 298, SAU
shot a 2-over 284 Monday to win going away. Clarke finished second in the
13-team tournament with a 607 total (298-309).
 Once
again, Travis England paced the Bees. The senior fired a 3-under 68 Monday to go
along with a first-round 75 to finish second overall with a 143. Clarke's Josh
Udelhofen was individual medalist with a 138.
But England had plenty of support from his teammates. Ben Gillen (left) took
third after rounds of 74 and 71 for a 148 total. John Walsh (right) was seventh
with a 75-73=148. Just a stroke back in a tie for eighth place was Jake Schertz
with a 75-74=149. Luke Johnson narrowly missed a top-10 showing by finishing
12th with a 74-77=151.
A second St. Ambrose team, led by Joe Habecker, took sixth. Habecker was 10th
overall after back-to-back rounds of 75 gave him a 150 total. Justin Gestout was
15th with two rounds of 76 for a 152 total. Andrew Canfield (75-81=156), Alex
Larson (89-82=171) and Bryan Contey (80-91=171) also competed for the second SAU
team.
The Bees will next compete in the Dubuque Bishops Buffet Invitational Sept.
24-25 at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Galena, Ill.
England named MCC
Men's Golfer of the Week
Sept. 19, 2011
MCC release
Senior
Travis England (right) was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Men's Golfer
of the Week today after his second-place finish at the UW-Green Bay
Invitational.
England finished the two-day tournament at the Green Bay Country Club with a
3-over 147 to take second place in the event featuring seven NCAA Division I
programs. He opened with a 72 before settling for a second-round 75 to finish
three shots behind the individual medalist.
England helped St. Ambrose shoot a 300-308=608 to place second in the
nine-team tournament.
Through two tournaments this fall, England is averaging a 73.25 over four
rounds.
The Bees are currently competing in the Clarke University Fall Classic that
wraps up today.
England leads Bees to
second at Division I Green Bay Invitational
Sept. 13, 2011
Results
Travis
England (right) finished second overall to lead St. Ambrose to second place at
the Green Bay Invitational, a two-day tournament filled with NCAA Division I
teams.
England opened with an even-par round of 72 at the Green Bay Country Club
before following with a 75 for a 147 total, just three shots behind individual
medalist Nate Varty of North Dakota State.
Two others Bees finished inside the top 10. Ben Gillen (77-75) and Luke
Johnson (72-80) had matching 152s to share eighth place.
Jake Schertz was 22nd overall after an 80-78=158 and John Walsh finished 26th
with a 79-80=159.
As a team, St. Ambrose shot a 608 (300-308) to finish second, two strokes
behind Butler's 606 (300-306).
The nine-team field consisted primarily of NCAA Division I programs. This is
the second straight year SAU has had an outstanding showing at the tournament
after winning the event last year.
Andrew Canfield (87-78=165) and Justin Gestout (90-82=172) competed as
individuals.
England, Schertz help
Bees finish second at Fun City Classic
Sept. 7, 2011
Results
Travis
England (left) and Jake Schertz (right) tied for third to help St. Ambrose open
the 2011-12 season with a second-place showing at the Iowa Wesleyan Fun City
Classic.
The Bees held a slim one-shot lead after Tuesday's opening round at Spirit
Hollow Golf Course in Burlington, Iowa, but were overtaken by Iowa Western
Community College Wednesday for the team title. SAU had rounds of 297-299 for a
596 total to finish just three shots behind Iowa Western (298-295=593).
England opened with a 2-under 70 before finishing with a 76 for a two-day
total of 146. Schertz matched his teammate after rounds of 72 and 74. Mariano
Rossi was the individual medalist with a 3-under 141, including a 5-under 67
Tuesday.
Ben Gillen shot an even-par 72 Wednesday to get inside the top 10. His 149
total tied for eighth overall. John Walsh (78-77) shot a 155 and Luke Johnson
(78-78=156) finished with a 156.
A second SAU team, led by Joe Habecker, finished 10th in the 17-team
tournament. Habecker tied for 15th with his 153 (73-80). Justin Gestout
(81-79=160), Alex Larson (78-85=163), Bryan Contey (79-84=163) and Jake
Alexander (79-84=163) also competed for the SAU White team.
St. Ambrose will next compete in the UW-Green Bay Invitational Sept. 11-13.
SAU Ranked #17 in
Golf World/Nike Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll
Aug. 31, 2011
Complete poll
St. Ambrose is ranked #17 in the Golf World/Nike Golf NAIA College
Preseason Coaches' Poll released today. The poll combines the resources of
Golf World magazine, Nike Golf and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
The Bees are one of three Midwest Collegiate Conference teams to crack the
top 25, joining #4 Grand View and #25 Viterbo.
Oklahoma Christian, which won the NAIA Championship in the spring, is the
top-ranked team in the poll after receiving eight of the 10 first-place votes.
Oklahoma Christian is second and British Columbia is third.
St. Ambrose will open the fall portion of its 2011-12 schedule at the Fun
City Classic at Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington, Iowa, Sept. 6-7.
Previous men's golf news items | 
