Men's Golf Team!

[vu72]

Congratulations the the Men's team for finishing second in the conference tournament, 12 shots a head of 3rd place.

Individually, Freshman Anthony Delisanti produced one of the greatest rounds in Valpo history by birdieing 6 of his final 9 holes to be the Conference Titleist.  The second place player birdied the final hole so Anthony also needed a birdie to secure the title. Not sure, but I think they may have been in the same foursome.

Several players back next year so the program looks really good!  Congrats to the players and coaches.

[michael19]

Competing in the third and final round of the Missouri Valley Conference championships, Delisanti fired a 30 on the back nine to shoot 67 and capture the MVC individual crown at the par-72 Country Club of Paducah course in Paducah, Ky.
Delisanti was five shots off the lead when the final round began on Tuesday. But after going 1-over on the front, he had six birdies — including the last four holes — to beat MVC golfer of the year Matthis Besard of Southern Illinois by one stroke.
It was a stunning performance with, especially so for an 18-year-old freshman who was one of the youngest competitors in the field.

[historyman]

Competing in the third and final round of the Missouri Valley Conference championships, Delisanti fired a 30 on the back nine to shoot 67 and capture the MVC individual crown at the par-72 Country Club of Paducah course in Paducah, Ky.
Delisanti was five shots off the lead when the final round began on Tuesday. But after going 1-over on the front, he had six birdies — including the last four holes — to beat MVC golfer of the year Matthis Besard of Southern Illinois by one stroke.
It was a stunning performance with, especially so for an 18-year-old freshman who was one of the youngest competitors in the field.

FYI, Country Club of Paducah is about an hour from Carbondale and the usual commute for many Southern Illinoisians. (my cousin lived in S. Illinois)

[vu84v2]

I have said this in prior posts, but I will reiterate that the men's golf coach, David Gring, has done an outstanding job building Valpo's golf program despite challenges of limited budget and resources. He builds enthusiasm for the program and seeks relationships (such as the one with Sand Creek Country Club) that are mutually beneficial to the program and other parties. These efforts attract excellent golfers who also excel as students. (note here that the women's coach may also be doing a similarly excellent job - I am just not familiar with her efforts).

[vu72]

I have said this in prior posts, but I will reiterate that the men's golf coach, David Gring, has done an outstanding job building Valpo's golf program despite challenges of limited budget and resources. He builds enthusiasm for the program and seeks relationships (such as the one with Sand Creek Country Club) that are mutually beneficial to the program and other parties. These efforts attract excellent golfers who also excel as students. (note here that the women's coach may also be doing a similarly excellent job - I am just not familiar with her efforts).

[/b]

Um, not really. She may be a wonderful coach and person but the team finished WAY last in the Valley. Illinois State won the Women's title with a score of 911. Valpo finished last with a score of 1005 which was 35 strokes worse than the second last place team.

[vu84v2]

I have said this in prior posts, but I will reiterate that the men's golf coach, David Gring, has done an outstanding job building Valpo's golf program despite challenges of limited budget and resources. He builds enthusiasm for the program and seeks relationships (such as the one with Sand Creek Country Club) that are mutually beneficial to the program and other parties. These efforts attract excellent golfers who also excel as students. (note here that the women's coach may also be doing a similarly excellent job - I am just not familiar with her efforts).

[/b]

Um, not really. She may be a wonderful coach and person but the team finished WAY last in the Valley. Illinois State won the Women's title with a score of 911. Valpo finished last with a score of 1005 which was 35 strokes worse than the second last place team.

Not great results last year, but she could be building something (leveraging some of the great things Dave Gring has done). Hope that things improve in the next few years.

[historyman]

I have said this in prior posts, but I will reiterate that the men's golf coach, David Gring, has done an outstanding job building Valpo's golf program despite challenges of limited budget and resources. He builds enthusiasm for the program and seeks relationships (such as the one with Sand Creek Country Club) that are mutually beneficial to the program and other parties. These efforts attract excellent golfers who also excel as students. (note here that the women's coach may also be doing a similarly excellent job - I am just not familiar with her efforts).

[/b]

Um, not really. She may be a wonderful coach and person but the team finished WAY last in the Valley. Illinois State won the Women's title with a score of 911. Valpo finished last with a score of 1005 which was 35 strokes worse than the second last place team.

So you are of the opinion that there are still a lot of holes to fill and strokes to be eliminated for the Valpo W Golf team. 

[vu72]

The men's team certainly has arrived at the top of the Valley!  With one round to play at their home tournament, they  hold a 15 shot lead over the second place DePaul team.  Of the three Valley teams in the field, Bradley is closest, trailing Valpo by 28 shots!  The two players fighting for Medalist honors are both Valpo players, out of a field of 99. Of 13 players at plus 1 or better, Valpo has three of them! Pretty darn impressive!

[vu84v2]

The men's team certainly has arrived at the top of the Valley!  With one round to play at their home tournament, they  hold a 15 shot lead over the second place DePaul team.  Of the three Valley teams in the field, Bradley is closest, trailing Valpo by 28 shots!  The two players fighting for Medalist honors are both Valpo players, out of a field of 99.  Pretty darn impressive!

The team and the overall program is very impressive, but I will caution that the MVC has also improved quite a bit. Southern Illinois beat Valpo for the conference championship by 15+ shots (I think) last spring and Illinois State has been highly competitive in the fall against some of the better national programs.

[vu84v2]

Valpo won the tournament by 34 shots over Loyola and 35 over DePaul. Individually, they had team members place first, second and fifth.

[beacons23]

How can our Women's golf team be so bad? 15th out of 15 today.
Can our Men's coach oversee both?
Men's team competes at the top of the conference yet Women consistently bottom

[vu84v2]

After the first round of the MVC conference championship, Valpo is in second - three shots behind Illinois State and five ahead of third place Belmont. Anthony Delisanti, who won last year's individual conference championship with a blistering last nine 30, is in second and is one shot behind the leader. Valpo also has players who are 4th and 14th after the first round.

Just like other sports, winning team gets an automatic birth in the NCAA tournament.

[vu84v2]

After two rounds, Valpo is in second - 9 shots behind Illinois State and 4 shots ahead of Northern Iowa. Anthony Delisanti shot 64 today (I wonder if that is a Valpo record for a competitive round) and is in first place by 4 shots.

[VULB#62]

The thing about golf and tennis is that the size of the college doesn't always determine how good the program can be.  A good academic institution, like Valpo, that provides a welcoming family environment and a challenging D-I schedule along with a good home course and good practice facilities should be able to go nose to nose with the big guys.

Actually, I have often wondered why all schools like Valpo, in conferences where most schools are bigger, don't load up on NCAA max full rides in these sports on both the men's and women's side (it's probably around a total of 20 for all four teams -  oops, forgot we cut MT a few years ago 😉) and dominate.

[vu72]

After two rounds, Valpo is in second - 9 shots behind Illinois State and 4 shots ahead of Northern Iowa. Anthony Delisanti shot 64 today (I wonder if that is a Valpo record for a competitive round) and is in first place by 4 shots.

He tied the Valpo record and broke the Valley record for a single round.  This from the news release: He tied his own modern program record and shattered the Missouri Valley Conference Championship record for 18-hole score on Monday


It seems that Anthony really focuses when the lights are the brightest!  The kid is only a sophomore!  Might be Valpo's first professional some day!  64!  wow!  just Wow!

[vu84v2]

Through nine holes, Anthony has a three shot lead. Team title looks very doubtful as they trail Illinois State by 14 shots.

[vu72]

Anthony now has a four shot lead through 12.  Team is only two shot ahead of Northern Iowa for second. 

[vu72]

Anthony Delisanti again is the conference Medalist!  Congrats to him and the team which finished second, seven shot ahead of third place.

[beacons23]

Why cant we get the mens coach to take on the women?
That team is and has been awful...

[vu84v2]

Anthony Delisanti again is the conference Medalist!  Congrats to him and the team which finished second, seven shot ahead of third place.

Last year, Anthony got an individual at-large birth to the NCAA tournament (and played well at the tournament, though he missed making the finals). Let's hope he gets an at-large birth again.

[Brandon]

Last year, Anthony got an individual at-large birth to the NCAA tournament (and played well at the tournament, though he missed making the finals). Let's hope he gets an at-large birth again.

He did receive an NCAA berth last year, but it was not an at-large berth, it was an automatic berth and he has it again this season as the winner of the MVC Tournament automatically advances to the NCAAs. What a great performance by Anthony this week. I cannot say enough good things about the job Dave Gring does running our men's golf program.

[vu84v2]

Brandon - Thanks for the correction on the automatic individual birth from being medalist. I could not agree more with your comments about Coach Gring.

[vu84v2]

Why cant we get the mens coach to take on the women?
That team is and has been awful...

Dave Gring has been a superb leader of the men's golf program. I don't know him as well as others here may know him, but from my perspective he has emphasized: 1. Build a positive culture, 2. Find and build a relationship with a high quality country club, and 3. Recruit great kids who are talented, but also fit the culture. He also assumes little funding from the university, so he takes it on himself to find ways to raise money (e.g., annual golf outing). However, I get the impression that this is just a personal mission for Dave and that he is probably paid very little for what he does (I assume he has another career). Thus, asking him to take more on may be unrealistic.

[vu72]

Why cant we get the mens coach to take on the women?
That team is and has been awful...

Dave Gring has been a superb leader of the men's golf program. I don't know him as well as others here may know him, but from my perspective he has emphasized: 1. Build a positive culture, 2. Find and build a relationship with a high quality country club, and 3. Recruit great kids who are talented, but also fit the culture. He also assumes little funding from the university, so he takes it on himself to find ways to raise money (e.g., annual golf outing). However, I get the impression that this is just a personal mission for Dave and that he is probably paid very little for what he does (I assume he has another career). Thus, asking him to take more on may be unrealistic.

One of the athletic department's crowd funding efforts during Day of Giving was for Men's and Women's golf recruiting.  If anyone is interested the site is still open.  The Men's goal is $15,000 of which $5450 has been raised to date.  The women's site is down because they met their goal which, I believe, was $2500.

As for the women's lack of success (I.m being generous) the good news, if any, is that the team is very young. They have three freshman, four sophomores, one junior and one senior. The top three performers were all sophomores.

https://alumni.valpo.edu/s/1347/21/1col.aspx?sid=1347&gid=1&pgid=3416

[vu72]

With two players making the regional and now the team getting a post season bid, Men's golf continues their success!  Congrats!!  GO BEACONS!!

https://www.valpoathletics.com/mgolf/news/2022-23/22097/valpo-mens-golf-accepts-invite-to-national-golf-invitational/