Western New England College
Men's Golf News

Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 18-19, 2004
Western New England College finished 22nd among 46 teams at the 70th Annual NEIGA Championship (Captains Course, Brewster, Mass.)

Monday, Oct. 11, 2004
Western New England College placed second among four teams at the Babson Invitational (Wellesley C.C., Wellesley, Mass.)

JUNIOR ADAM D'AMARIO SELECTED GNAC PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College junior captain Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Golf Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Oct. 4). He tied for 21st among 95 players at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Tournament with a two-day total of 160 (84-76) at the Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, New York. D'Amario is a finance major.

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 2-3, 2004
Western New England College tied for 14th among 18 teams at the ECAC Division III Tournament (Ravenwood G.C., Victor, N.Y.)

SOPHOMORE E.J. CZAJKOWSKI GAINS WEEKLY HONORS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Sophomore E.J. Czajkowski (Burlington, CT) was honored Tuesday (Sept. 28) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week on Tuesday (Sept. 28).

Czajkowski, a member of the men's golf team, tied for second among 80 players with a two over par 74 at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Qualifying Tournament. His performance helped the Golden Bears finish sixth in the 16-team field. WNEC now advances to the ECAC Division III Tournament October 1-3 in Rochester, New York.

Czajkowski, an accounting major, also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Golf Player-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 27).

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 25-26, 2004
Western New England College tied for 13th among 25 teams at the Duke Nelson Invitational Tournament (Ralph Myhre Golf Club, Middlebury, Vt.)

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004
Western New England College finished sixth among 16 teams at the ECAC Division III New England Qualifying Tournament (Hampden Country Club, Hampden, Mass.)

Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004
Western New England College tied for 12th among 24 teams at the Williams Invitational (Taconic Golf Club, Williamstown, Mass.)

Sunday-Monday, Sept. 12-13, 2004
Western New England College placed fourth among 10 teams at the Northeast Preview Tournament (Saratoga Spa State Park, McGregor Links, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.)

Western New England College Spring Sports Banquet
Sunday, May 2, 2004
List of Award Recipients

Men's Golf
Low Stroke Average Award Ñ Sophomore Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) and freshman EJ Czajkowski (Burlington, CT)
Coaches Award Ñ Senior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA)

ADAM D'AMARIO NAMED GOLDEN BEARS' MALE ATHLETE-OF-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Sophomore Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) was honored Tuesday (April 13) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

D'Amario placed first among 118 players at the 31st Annual Lou Flumere Massachusetts Intercollegiate Tournament held at Stow Acres Country Club. He fired a two-over par 74 as the Golden Bears tied for third among 24 teams. D'Amario is a finance major.

Thursday, April 8, 2004
Western New England College tied for third among 24 teams at the 29th Annual "Lou Flumere" Massachusetts Intercollegiate Golf Tournament (Stow Acres, Stow, Mass.)

Congratulations to sophomore Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) who was the medalist with a 74.

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003
Western New England College placed 30th among 45 teams at the 69th Annual NEIGA Championship (Captains Golf Course, Brewster, Mass.)

Thursday Oct. 9, 2003
Western New England College placed fifth among 15 teams at the WNEC Invitational (Veterans Golf Course, Springfield, Mass.)

Final Team Scores - 1. Husson (Maine) 297, 2. NYU 304, 3. Amherst 304, 4. Salem State 317, 5. WNEC 319 6. tie between Middlebury 325 and Springfield 325, 8. UMass-Dartmouth 329, 9. Elms 334, 10. Franklin Pierce 336, 11. MIT 340, 12. Brandeis 342, 13. Tufts 357, 13. WPI 357, 15. AIC 382

Note: NYU finishes second based on matching cards.

Individual Results - Par 72
1. Corey Poulin Husson 71,

2. Joe Devenuta NYU 72

3. Sean Jules Amherst 73, AJ Mastrullo Salem State 73, Russ McGee Husson 73, Marc Saracino Springfield 73

7. Fabio Salvinge Babson 74

8. Mike Regan Springfield 75, Justin Sharaf Amherst 75, Wes Scott Elms 75

11. Joe Finemore Husson 76, Alex Dwek Brandeis 76, Gabe Lee NYU 76

14. Bill Burke MIT 77, David Litt Amherst 77, Ed Natti WNEC 77, Rob Picard Husson 77, Ethan Roberts Babson 77, Mike Sigismondo UMass-Dartmouth 77

20. Mike Gillis Salem State 78, Brian Berkey NYU 78, John Pharr NYU 78, Tim Quinn Middlebury 78

24. Andy Dastoli WNEC 79, Drew Russ Amherst 79, Blake Wilson UMass-Dartmouth 79, Jay Yonamine Middlebury 79

28 Murray Galster Brandeis 80, Charles Kerecz NYU 80, Heath Monong Husson 80, Dave Velardo WPI 80

32. EJ Czajkowski WNEC 81

33. Steve Field WNEC 82, Sean Hammond Elms 82, Sean Mahoney WNEC 82, Alex Hodgman Franklin Pierce 82, Mike Smith Franklin Pierce 82

38. Chris Anderson Salem State 83, Adam D'Amario WNEC 83, Paul Izzi Franklin Pierce 83, Sean Labelle Salem State 83

42. Mike Benjamin WPI 84, Chip Campbell Middlebury 84, Zach Foster Middlebury 84, Jon Ornstein AIC 84, Mike Valentine Amherst 84

47. Tim Hinchey UMass-Dartmouth 85

48. Tom Gray MIT 86, Andrew T. Weiss Tufts 86

50. Brian Choquette WNEC 87, Jim Hurlbut Elms 87. Matt McCarthy Springfield 87, Bobby Ocampo Middlebury 87, Nat Sager Tufts 87

55. Rob Batten MIT 88, Chris Olival UMass-Dartmouth 88

57. Chris DeGeorge Franklin Pierce 89, Dave Guttag MIT 89, Abani Shanker Babson 89

60. Ben Machado Springfield 90, Adam Moulton Elms 90, Dan Patack Tufts 90

63. P.J. Lovett UMass-Dartmouth 91

64. Todd Delaney Springfield 92, Eric Strauss Brandeis 92

66. Paul Chase Tufts 94, Nate Goldman Brandeis 94

68. Tim Krawiec WPI 96

69. Gabe Gruner Brandeis 97, Matt MacKenzie Salem State 97, Topher Schott WPI 97

72. Jay Fennessy AIC 98, Joe Jiontia MIT 98, Kevin Miller AIC 98

75. J.T. Mooney Elms 99

76. Nate Hoitt WPI, 100

77. Frank Novello AIC 102

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 4-5, 2003
Western New England College tied for sixth among 18 teams at the ECAC Division III Qualifying Tournament (Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, New York)

Thursday, September 25, 2003
Western New England College finished 7th among 18 teams at the ECAC New England Division III Qualifying Tournament (Holden Hills Country Club, Holden, Massachusetts

E.J. CZAJKOWSKI HONORED AS THE WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Freshman E.J. Czajkowski (Burlington, CT) was honored Tuesday (Sept. 23) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Czajkowski tied for 11th among 119 players at the Williams Invitational on September 20-21 with a two-day score of 152. He fired rounds of 79 and 73 over the challenging Taconic Golf Course to help the Golden Bears place 13th in the 22-team field. Czajkowski is an accounting major.

Saturday-Sunday, September 20-21, 2003
Western New England College finished 13th among 22 teams at the Williams Invitational (Taconic Golf Club, Williamstown, Mass.)

Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Western New England College finished 10th among 11 teams at the 18th Annual Skidmore Fall Classic Tournament (McGregor Links Country Club, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.)

Saturday-Sunday, September 13-14, 2003
Western New England College finished 10th among 20 teams at the 20th Annual Duke Nelson Tournament (Ralph Myhre Golf Club, Middlebury, Vt.)

Western New England College Spring Sports Banquet
Sunday, May 4, 2003
List of Award Recipients

Men's Golf
Co-Most Valuable Players — Senior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) and senior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA)

Friday, May 2, 2003
Western New England College placed first among six teams at the rain-shortened Elms Invitational (Chicopee Country Club, Chicopee, Mass.)

Sunday, April 27, 2003
Western New England College finished ninth among 12 teams at the District One Shoot-out Tournament (Taconic Golf Club, Williamstown, Mass.)

Thursday, April 24, 2003
Western New England College tied for 11th among 19 teams at the Massachusetts Intercollegiate Tournament (Stow Golf Club, Stow, Mass.)

Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Western New England College placed second among four teams at the UMass-Dartmouth Invitational (Atlantic Country Club, Plymouth, Mass.)

SENIOR KEVIN BENNISON HONORED AS THE WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 29, 2002) — Golf co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Bennison, a senior, was the Golden Bears' top performer at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship finishing tied for 31st among 232 players with a two-day total of 156 (79-77) at the Captains Golf Course in Brewster.

Bennison also was the medallist at the City of Springfield Championship with a 74 at Veterans Golf Course to help WNEC wins its third straight city title over AIC and Springfield College. A sport management major, Benison had a 78.4 average for 11 rounds this fall.

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002
WNEC at 68th Annual NEIGA Championship (17th/47)

GOLDEN BEARS FINISH 17TH AMONG 47 SCHOOLS AT NEIGA CHAMPIONSHIP

BREWSTER, Mass. (Oct. 22, 2002) — Western New England College completed its fall season by finishing 17th among 47 schools at the 68th Annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship held at the Captains Golf Course.

WNEC also placed seventh among the 25 teams in the Division III portion of the tournament.

Senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) led the Golden Bears with a two-day score of 156 (79-77) that tied for 31st place among 232 players.

Senior co-captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) tied for 40th with a 158 total (77-81). He also won the putting contest held among the competitors.

Junior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA) played well tying for 47th with a 159 (79-80).

Friday, Oct. 18, 2002
WNEC at City of Springfield Championship (1st/3)

GOLDEN BEARS (AGAIN) WIN CITY OF SPRINGFIELD CHAMPIONSHIP

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 18, 2002) — With all five of its players scoring in the 70's, host Western New England College captured its third straight City of Springfield Men's Golf Championship Friday with a season best total of 301 at Veterans Golf Course. Springfield College was second at 331 while Amrican International College was third at 371.

WNEC senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) was the medalist with a season best two-over par 74. Freshman Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) tied for second with a 75 that was his best performance of the season.

The Golden Bears' duo of senior co-captain Paul Winker (West Springfield, MA) and junior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA) tied for fourth with 76's. Senior Erik Timmons (Katonah, NY) was eighth with a 77 that was his best showing of the fall.

Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002
WNEC at Eph Classic (Williamstown, MA) (6th/9)

PAUL WINKLER MEDALIST AT EPH CLASSIC

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 13, 2002) — Western New England College senior co-captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA — West Springfield High School) fired an even par 71 to win top honors at the Eph Classic Sunday at the Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown.

Senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY — Cobleskill High School) tied for 15th in the 46-player field with a 77 as the Golden Bears placed sixth among nine schools in the team standings with a 311 that was the squad's second lowest total of the season.

WNEC will host the City of Springfield Championship with AIC and Springfield College beginning at 12:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 18) at Veterans Golf Course. The Golden Bears end their season at the 68th Annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Fall Championship October 20-22 at the Captains Golf Course in Brewster on Cape Cod.

PAUL WINKLER MEDALIST AT EPH CLASSIC WITH AN EVEN PAR 71

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (Oct. 13, 2002) — Western New England College senior co-captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) was the medalist at the Eph Classic with an even par 71 at the Taconic Golf Course. Senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) tied for 15th in the 46-player field with a 77. WNEC placed sixth among nine schools in the team standings with a score of 311.

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002
WNEC at WNEC invitational (Springfield, MA) (4th/11)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 13, 2002) — Western New England College senior co-captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) fired a 74 to finish second among 54 players at the WNEC Invitational held at Veterans Golf Course. Senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) tied for 10th with a 78 as the Golden Bears placed fourth among 11 teams with a 316 score.

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 5-6, 2002
WNEC at ECAC Division III Tournament (Brockport, NY) (12th/18)

BROCKPORT, N.Y. , Mass. (Oct. 5-6, 2002) — Western New England College senior co-captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) tied for sixth among 93 players at the ECAC Division III Tournament held at the Deerfield Country Club in Brockport, New York. Winkler had a two-day total of 155 with rounds of 80 and 75. Senior co-captain Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, N.Y.) tied for 42nd with a 164 (81-83).

GOLDEN BEARS NAMED GNAC TEAM-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 30, 2002) — Western New England College men's golf squad was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Team-of-the-Week on Monday (Sept. 30) after winning the ECAC New England Division III Regional Qualifying Tournament at the Holden Hills Country Club.

WNEC is seeded second in the ECAC Division III Championship that will be held Oct. 5-6 at the Deerfield Country Club in Brockport, New York.

WNEC WINS ECAC DIVISION III QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT

HOLDEN, Mass. (Sept. 26, 2002) Ñ Seniors Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) and Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY), and junior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA) each shot a 76 as Western New England College captured the ECAC New England Regional Qualifying Tournament Thursday at the Holden Hills Country Club.

WNEC had a score of 305 to finish three strokes ahead of Tufts. UMass-Dartmouth (311) was third followed by Salem State (313) and Babson (314) in the 16-team field.

Sophomore Sean Mahoney (Wilbraham, MA) fired a 77 in his WNEC debut as the Golden Bears advance to the ECAC Division III Championship Oct. 5-6 in Brockport, New York.

"We grinded through the rain and came up with one of our best performances in a long time," said WNEC coach Bill Downes.

Team Scores Ð 1. WNEC 305, 2. Tufts 308, 3. UMass-Dartmouth 311; 4. Salem State 313, 5. Babson 314; 6. Nichols 315; 7. Wentworth 323; 8. Trinity 324; 9. Wesleyan 329; 10. Elms 333; 11. Springfield 334; 12. WPI 337; 13. Worcester State 357; 14. tie between Massachusetts College 362 and MIT 3

62; 16. Brandeis 363.

PAUL WINKLER SELECTED AS THE WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 17, 2002) — Men's golf captain Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA — West Springfield High School) was honored Tuesday (Sept. 17) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Winkler, a senior, was the Golden Bears' top player at the Duke Nelson Tournament in Middlebury, Vermont. He had a two-day score of 159 (79-80) that tied for 44th place in the 123-player field. WNEC tied for 15th among 25 schools in the team competition.

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 14-15
WNEC at Duke Nelson Invitational (Middlebury, Vt.) (Tied for 15th/25)

Tuesday, Sept. 10
WNEC at Skidmore Invitational (tied for 6th/11)
(Saratoga Springs, New York)

KEVIN BENNISON NAMED TO PING DIVISION III ALL-NORTHEAST REGION TEAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 14, 2002) — Western New England College junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) has been named to the 2002 PING Division III All-Northeast Region Team.

Friday, May 3, 2002
City of Springfield Championship
(Cancelled)

Saturday, April 27, 2002
WNEC at Williams District One Shootout
(10th out of 12 teams)

Tuesday, April 16, 2002
WNEC at Worcester State Invitational
(3rd out of 11 teams)

Thursday, April 11, 2002
WNEC at Mass. Intercollegiate Tournament (10th out of 21 teams)

Tuesday, April 9, 2002
WNEC at UMass-Dartmouth Invitational (3rd out of 6 teams)

2001 Fall Sports News

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE FINISHES 15TH AMONG 46 TEAMS AT NEIGA TOURNAMENT

Coach Bill Downes receives McCullough Award for contributions to golf

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 25, 2001) — Western New England College finished 15th among 46 teams at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Men's Tournament October 23 at the Captain's Golf Course in Brewster, Massachusetts.

WNEC also placed fourth among the 23 Division III schools participating in the two-day event.

Junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) led the Golden Bears by tying for 39th place in the 228-player field with a 156 (80-76). He earned All-New England Division III recognition for the second straight year after placing fifth among 115 Division III players.

Junior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) tied for 58th with a 159 (77-82) while junior Erik Timmons (Katonah, NY) and sophomore Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA) each tied for 84th with scores of 162 (both had rounds of 80 and 82). Senior captain Ryan Bowey (Wolcott, CT) tied for 93rd with a 163 (80-83).

Veteran Western New England College coach Bill Downes received the "Gordon McCullough Award" for his outstanding dedication to college golf and for his contributions to his players and fellow coaches.

The University of Rhode Island won the NEIGA Tournament with a score of 584. Hartford (591) was second with Central Connecticut (599), UConn (604), and Brown (606) rounding out the top five. Hartford's Dean Carrigan was the medallist with a 140 (71-69) after defeating Mike Carbone (67-73) of URI in a playoff.

JUNIOR ERIK TIMMONS NAMED THE WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Junior golf standout Erik Timmons (Katonah, NY — Somers High School) was honored Tuesday (Oct. 16) as the Western New England College Male Athletes-of-the-Week.

Timmons, a criminal justice major, placed second among 67 players with a score of two-over par 74 as Western New England College captured its own invitational tournament for the first time on October 11 at Veterans Golf Course in Springfield.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WINS OWN INVITATIONAL (Oct. 11, 2001)

Final Team Scores

1. Western New England 309 2. New York University 317 3. Salem State 319 4. (tie). Amherst 332, Babson 332 6. Franklin Pierce 334 7. Southern New Hampshire 335 8. UMass-Dartmouth 345 9 (tie). Tufts 351, WPI 351 11. Brandeis 354 12. AIC 363 13. Springfield 387 14. MIT 392.

Final Individual Results Ð Par 72

1. Chris Rivard, Southern New Hampshire 72 2. Erik Timmons, Western New England 74 3. Aaron Nackoul, Franklin Pierce 75 4. Kevin Bennison, Western New England 76 ; Phil Giordano, NYU, 76 6. Paul Winkler, Western New England 79 ; A.J. Mastrullo, Salem State 79 8. Ryan Bowey, Western New England 80 ; Jon Kriendler, NYU 80; Joe DeVenuta, NYU 80 Scott Conley, Salem State 80; Charlie McNeeley, Salem State 80; Ian Sullivan, Salem State 80; Jude Volek, Amherst 80 15. Brian Berkey, NYU 81; Mike Helpern, NYU 81; Dave Ravee, Babson 81; Andrew Stetson, AIC 81 19. Christian Mejia, Salem State 82; Steve Eklund, Babson 82; Todd Ballaban, Amherst 82; Nick Matulonis, Franklin Pierce 82 23. Andy Dratch, Babson 83; Matt Arvamitis, Southern New Hampshire 83; Andrew Bell, UMass-Dartmouth 83; Brad Hawes, Tufts 83 27. Justin Sharaf, Amherst 84; Derrick Fors, WPI 84 29. Dan Schwab, WPI 85; Pete Pacheco, Springfield 85 31. Brian Verlando, Babson 86; Mike Blasdell, Amherst 86; Jeff Hankins, UMass-Dartmouth 86; Rob Desoe, MIT 86 35. Evan Carlson, Babson 87; Kyle Skubasm UMass-Dartmouth 87; Dan Kramer, Tufts 87; Dave Hendler, Tufts 87 39. Andy Dastoli, Western New England 8 8; Alex Hodgman, Franklin Pierce 88; Joe Baumel, Brandeis, 88; Gabe Gruner, Brandeis 88 43. Paul Izzi, Franklin Pierce 89; Jerome Harty, Southern New Hampshire 89; Dan Cronin, UMass-Dartmouth 89; Phil Murphy, WPI 89; Eric Strauss, Brandeis; Jason Kramer, Brandeis 89 49. Travis Scheyd, Southern New Hampshire 91; Doug Place, UMass-Dartmouth 91; Dave Guttag, MIT 91 52. Dave Bickman, Brandeis 92; Dan Wilson, Springfield 92, Paul Lacoste, AIC 92 55. Keith Medvos, Franklin Pierece 93; Kevin Brackem, Southern New Hampshire 93; Mike Dorval, WPI 93 58. Andrew Weiss, Tufts 94; Nick Razzi, AIC 94 60. Lucas Ruprecht, MIT 95 61. Matt Langeway, AIC 96 62. Ben Eastwood, Tufts 98, Jon Dwyer, AIC 98 64. Jeff Costa, WPI 99 65. Tim Hajjar, Springfield 101 66. Chris Kane, Springfield 109 67. Dave Hensle, MIT 120

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MEN'S GOLF TEAM FINISHES SEVENTH ECAC DIVISION III TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College finished seventh among 17 teams at the inaugural Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Men's Golf Tournament October 6-7 at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course in Middlebury, Vermont.

Skidmore won the tournament with a score of 608 followed by Rochester (613), Babson (616), and Middlebury (620). St. Lawrence and Salem State tied for fifth (621) followed by Western New England (624).

Junior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) led the Golden Bears by tying for seventh among 85 players with a score of 151 (73-78).

Also placing in the upper half of the field were junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) who tied for 25th at 156 (81-75), and senior captain Ryan Bowey (Wolcott, CT) who tied for 42nd at 160 (80-80).

Coach Bill Downe s' team will serve as the host school for the WNEC Invitational Thursday, Oct. 11, at Veterans Golf Course in Springfield.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND QUALIFIES FOR ECAC DIVISION III TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 27, 2001) — Western New England College's men's golf team is off to a fast start this fall with four top 10 performances against strong competition.

WNEC placed second among 13 teams at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Qualifying Tournament on September 26 at the Holden Hills Country Club to advance to the inaugural ECAC Division III Tournament October 6-7 at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course in Middlebury, Vermont.

Babson won the tournament with 311 points followed by Western New England at 320, UMass-Dartmouth at 327, and Salem State College at 329.

Earlier this month, Coach Bill Downes' team finished seventh among 21 schools at the Williams Invitational September 23 with a season low score of 611 (306-305), fourth among 11 schools at the Skidmore (N.Y.) Fall Classic Tournament September 19 with a score of 320, and eighth among 21 squads at the Duke Nelson Tournament September 16 in Middlebury, Vermont with a 634 (324-310).

Junior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA) has been the Golden Bears' top player in the last two events. He tied for fifth among 63 players with a 78 at the ECAC Qualifier and was seventh among 105 players at the Williams Invitational with a 147 (73-74).

Junior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY) led the team the first two weeks after tying for 14th among 105 players at the Duke Nelson Tournament with a 154, and finishing third among 59 players at the Skidmore Invitational with a 76.

Sophomore Andy Dastoli (Holyoke, MA) tied for 15th at the Skidmore Invitational with a 79 and tied for 15th at the ECAC Qualifier with an 81.

PAUL WINKLER SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 25, 2001) — Junior golf star Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA — West Springfield High School) was honored Tuesday (Sept. 25) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Winkler placed fifth among 105 players at the Williams Invitational at the Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown on September 23 with a two-day total of 147 (73-74). Western New England College finished seventh among the 21 teams with a season low score of 311.

WNEC will participate in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday (Sept. 26) at the Holden Hills Country Club.

WNEC OPENS SEASON SEPTEMBER 15-16 AT THE DUKE NELSON TOURNAMENT IN VERMONT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's men's golf team will open its season at the Duke Nelson Tournament on Saturday-Sunday (Sept. 15-16) in Middlebury, Vermont.

DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME ROOM DEDICATION HELD JUNE 5

SPRINGFIELD, Mass . — Western New England College dedicated its new Downes Athletic Hall of Fame Room on June 5 in honor of former professor and current men's golf coach Arthur William (Red) Downes G'83, who was among the inaugural group inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame named in his honor in 1999.

The Downes Athletic Hall of Fame Room is located on the second floor of the Alumni Healthful Living Center. The room was reconfigured to provide a location where team photos, plaques, and other commemorative items are displayed. The Downes Athletic Hall of Fame has been funded through specific contributions that have been designated for this purpose through the Golden Bear Club.

Downes was a member of the Western New England College coaching staff and faculty for 31 years. He compiled 190 victories as the men's soccer coach and 100 as the men's basketball coach, but may be best remembered for his love of the game of golf. He resurrected varsity golf at the College in 1987 and quickly built it into one of the strongest Division III programs in New England.

During the 2000-01 season, Downes' team captured both the City of Springfield and Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament titles and just missed qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championship.

"Coach Downes' name is synonymous with Western New England College athletics," said school president Dr. Anthony S. Caprio . "He has remained closely involved with this College and continues to coach golf, inspiring, as always, his team and all of us fortunate enough to be in his presence."

When it came to name the new room, Western New England College athletics director Dr. Michael Theule n said that Downes was the obvious choice. "Coach Downes' influence in Western New England College athletics has spanned over three decades and he has played an instrumental role in the lives of hundreds of students and student athletes at the College. He is Western Hew England College athletics."

Downes, a 1963 graduate of Springfield College, told the crowd of approximately 100 well-wishers that "I've always enjoyed being a teacher coach. It hasn't been work, it's been fun. I love being at Western New England College and I can't thank everyone enough for this special day. Western New England College's athletics program is going places and I'm glad to be a part of it."

Among those attending the ceremony were current men's golf team members Ryan Bowey of Wolcott, Connecticut, and Paul Winkler of West Springfield. Bowey had the crowd laughing when he said that "We all appreciate everything Coach Downes has done for the team. I know he has been a father figure for me, well, make that a grandfather figure."

Downes and his wife Patty are the parents of four children, Charlene Metcalf '85, Bobby Downes '86 (the head golf professional at Veterans Golf Course in Springfield), Billy Downes (a professional golfer and former Nike Tour player), and Mary Allard '90, and three grandchildren.

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