July 29, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State's men's golf team has continued its academic year success into the summer, dominating on the course and continually being recognized for scholastic achievements.
In the last few weeks, three Nittany Lion golfers have captured tournament victories, while three were named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All American Scholars.
PA Amateur: Cole Miller, a rising junior from New Tripoli, Pa., won the state amateur title this week at Moselem Springs Golf Club, edging former teammate and spring alum JD Dornes. Miller finished 10-under in the three-round tournament, coming back from a three-stroke deficit the final day by birdying six of his final 12 holes. [PA Golf Recap]
New Hampshire State Amateur: Chris Houston, a spring graduate from Gilford, N.H., won the match play New Hampshire championship July 16 at the Laconia Country Club in Laconia, N.H. He won the final of six matches 4 & 3. [NH Golf Association Recap]
Toronto Star Amateur: Christian Elliott, a rising senior from Port Perry, Ontario, fired a final-round 71 and finished a stroke ahead to win the Toronto tournament July 22, avenging his second-place finish from a year ago. Elliott finished with a four-round total of 288 at the Toronto Golf Club-hosted event. [Toronto Star Recap]
Houston, along with Geoff Vartelas and JD Dornes were each named All-American Scholars. To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar status an individual must be a junior or senior academically, compete in at least three full years at the collegiate level, participate in 50 percent of his team's competitive rounds, have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division I and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.
The Penn State men's golf program has posted the highest team GPA of any Nittany Lion program in each of the last two years, while also making the NCAA Regional Championships in each of the last two seasons.
Led by head coach Greg Nye, Penn State finished the 2015-16 season ranked No. 33 by GolfWeek, with the Nittany Lions posting a record of 105-29-1, (78.1). Golfstat ranked Penn State No. 36 among the nation's approximately 300 Division I programs.