Spring Hill College Golf 2015 - 2016

GOLF

SPRING HILL COLLEGE

Mobile, Alabama

Spring Hill College is ranked once again in the top 20 Southern universities and colleges, according to the 2012 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.”

Spring Hill is ranked 17th among the Southern colleges and universities offering a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. The U.S. News rankings are based on several quality measures including academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, peer assessment and graduation rate performance. Colleges and universities are listed in various categories depending on their size, location and other factors.

The college is ranked 10th among only 15 schools listed in the South’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” category, colleges that offer quality academic programs, affordable tuition and significant financial aid.

Spring Hill College is also listed in the region’s “A-Plus Schools for B Students” category, campuses where B students thrive in an engaged student body.

Forbes Magazine also ranks Spring Hill among its

GENERAL FACTS

Institution: Spring Hill College

City/State/Zip: Mobile, AL 36608

Founded: 1830

Enrollment: 1,200

Nickname: Badgers

School Colors: Purple, white

Home Facility: Spring Hill College Golf Course

Par 72; Yardage 6665; Rating 71.8; Slope 126 (men) Par 72; Yardage 5625; Rating 67.5; Slope 116 (women) Conference (men): Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (women): Gulf South

President: Dr. Christopher J. Puto

Athletic Director: Jim Hall

Alma Mater: Grinnell College (1995)

Compliance: Chad LeBlanc

Senior Woman Administrator:: Alison Sellers-Cook

Faculty Athletic Representative: Steven Aldridge, Ph.D.

Athletic Department Phone: 251-380-3485

Athletic Department Fax: 251-460-2196

Sports Information Director: Jim Stennett

Alma Mater: Mississippi State (1990)

SID Phone: (251) 380-4468

SID Email: jstennett@shc.edu

Athletic Web Site: www.shcbadgers.com

Facebook: SHCAthletics

Twitter: SHCBADGERS

“America’s Best Colleges” with SHC ranked No. 32 in the nation among similar institutions.

Forbes also ranks Spring Hill among the “Best Colleges in the South” and among the top 25 percent of the ‘Best Private Colleges” nationwide according to Forbes.

COACHING STAFF

Men’s/Women’s Head Coach: Steve Hodges

Years at school: 20th

Email: shodges@shc.edu

Office Phone: (251) 380-4655 or 4699

Assistant Coach: Chuck Balsamico (1st year)

Volunteer Coach: Paul Ezelle (9th year)

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Justin Goonan

Athletic Trainer: Brian Gronewold, ATC

MEN’S TEAM INFORMATION

2014-15 SIAC Finish: Ineligible due to NCAA transition

Golfers returning/lost/new: 15/3/4

WOMEN’S TEAM INFORMATION

2014-15 GSC Finish: 7th of 8 teams

Golfers returning/lost/new: 6/4/3

HEAD COACH

STEVE HODGES

Steve Hodges begins his 20th year as the head coach of the men’s golf team at Spring Hill College. An A-12 member of the PGA of America elected in 1995, Hodges has led Spring Hill to nine appearances in NAIA National Championships and four Top Ten finishes with four Region XIII Championships. In 1996, he mentored the Men’s Individual NAIA National Champion, Keith Hoard. Hodges served as the President of the NAIA Men’s Golf Coaches Association in 2002 and has been named NAIA Region XIII Coach of the Year four times. From 2005 through 2012, Hodges also served as head coach of the SHC women’s golf team and resumed the reins of that team in September 2015.

ASSISTANT COACH

CHUCK BALSAMICO

“Chuck Balsamico joined the Badger coaching staff in 2015 after spending four years with the Spring Hill men’s team where he enjoyed a successful collegiate career.”

VOLUNTEER COACH

PAUL EZELLE

In his ninth year as a volunteer coach with the Badgers golf teams, Paul Ezelle is the retired Executive Director of the Mobile County EMS and was the first paramedic in the state of Alabama. Formerly a Master Sergeant in the Alabama Army National Guard, Ezelle is now a volunteer director of the Laity Care Center (counseling ministry) at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Coach Ezelle formerly coached golf at Cottage Hill Christian Academy and led them to an AHSAA state championship in 2009.

PREVIEW 2015-2016

The Spring Hill College (SHC) men’s and women’s golf teams entered a new era in 2015 as they transitioned from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. Men and women’s head coach Steve Hodges is confident that his players are ready for the new season. “The change in affiliation was exciting for our players,” Hodges says. “We faced a new level of competition and tested ourselves against top players. That’s why you play the game.”

For the men’s side, Hodges brings an experience squad of veterans into 2016. Seniors Michael Abram from Carnlough, Ireland, and Gerardo Portela of Miami, Fla., are the upperclassmen on the team and the junior class includes Ryan Carney of Birmingham, Ala., John Culotta of New Orleans, La., Wesley Hunter out of St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Mobile, David Kirkman of St. Louis, Mo., Grant Luisi of Dallas, Texas, and Sheldon Statkewicz from McGill-Toolen Catholic School in Mobile

.A bright young class of sophomores rejoins the Badger this season. Thomas Allen of Dallas, Jesse Redman of Spanish Fort, Ala., Colton Blagrove of Slidell, La., Hugh Corbin of Dallas, Samuel Jones from Hinsdale, Ill., Kalle Nilsson of Gavle Sweden, Ryan Pilcher of S. Louis and Thomas Ruli from Mandeville, La., each look to continue to make their marks on the college links.

The freshman class includes John Taylor Evans of Semmes, Ala., James Guisinger of Troy, Mich., Mathieu Jonz and Joseph Mraz of Woodstock, Ga.“Nisson, Ruli, Statkewicz, Hunter and Redman look to be our starting five,” says Hodges. “But Corbin, Luisi, and Blagrove will give them competition before each tournament. Players will have to earn their slots each time out.”

The women moved into the Gulf South Conference (GSC) last year and Hodges admits that there were some adjustments. “The GSC is one of the top women’s golf conferences in the country,” he says. “We were used to solid competition coming from the SSAC, but the ladies in the GSC are even better. Our team has some great leadership, however, and we’ll compete in every event this year.”

Senior Alexandria Ryals of Mobile will take a leadership role on the Badger squad while juniors Mary-Grace Pollet of Baton Rouge, La., looks to have another strong season this year. Four sophomores also rejoin the SHC ladies in 2015-16. Sara Crinnion of St. Louis, Christine Grzesiak from Naperville, Ill., Lauren Kasuda of Kensington, Md., and Margaret Nelson of Kansas City, Mo., will each see playing time this year.

Freshman Nikki Bryars of Chesapeake, Va., Alexa Shelton from St. Louis and Hannah Vines of Rogersville, Ala., each look to learn the ropes of NCAA golf this year, but each has a bright future in the game.“Our starting five will be young this year,” says Allen. “Ryals, Grzesiak, and Kasuda will be joined by Vines and Shelton, but each of them will have a shot to make the line up at some point.”The new year brings new challenges for the Badger golf teams, but both teams are excited to open the season. “If we approach the game with the correct mindset, we’ll be fine,” says Hodges. “You have to stay focused and complete the task in front of you at the moment.”

MEN’S 2015-2016 ROSTER

NAME CL. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

MICHAEL ABRAM SR. CARNLOUGH, IRELAND/ST. KILLIANS COLLEGE/UMOBILE

GERARDO PORTELA SR. MIAMI, FLA./BELEN JESUIT PREP

RYAN CARNEY JR. BIRMINGHAM, ALA./JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC

JOHN CULOTTA JR. NEW ORLEANS, LA./JESUIT HS

WESLEY HUNTER JR. MOBILE, ALA./ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL

GRANT LUISI JR. DALLAS, TEXAS/JESUIT COLLEGE PREP

JESSE REDMAN JR. SPANISH FORT, ALA./SPANISH FORT HS

SHELDON STATKEWICZ JR. MOBILE, ALA./MCGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC HS/AUBURN

THOMAS ALLEN SO. DALLAS, TEXAS/JESUIT COLLEGE PREP

COLTON BLAGROVE SO. SLIDELL, LA./JESUIT HS

HUGH CORBIN SO. DALLAS, TEXAS/JESUIT COLLEGE PREP

SAMUEL JONES SO. HINSDALE, ILL./HINSDALE CENTRAL

DAVID KIRKMAN SO. ST. LOUIS, MO./LUTHERAN HS SOUTH

KALLE NILSSON SO. GAVLE, SWEDEN/POLHEMSKOLAN

THOMAS RULI SO. MANDEVILLE, LA./ST. PAUL’S

JOHN TAYLOR EVANS FR. SEMMES, ALA./BAKER HS

JAMES GUISINGER FR. TROY, MICH./UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT JESUIT HS

JOSEPH MRAZ FR. WOODSTOCK, GA./BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC HS

MEN’S

2014-2015 RESULTS

+8; Thomas Ruli 73, 74, 79, 226, +10; t10, Jesse Redman 81, 74, 72, 227, +11; t27, Jordan Portal 75, 79, 82, 236, +20.

Oct. 6-7, 2014 – MGCCC Invitational held at Windance Golf Club, Gulfport, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 6659) Team A: 4th of 17 teams (290, 302, 592, +16) Individuals (out of 92): 1, Sheldon Statkewicz 66, 75, 141, -3; t9, Kalle Nisson 73, 73, 146, +2; t32, Jordan Portal 75, 77, 152, +8; t35, Jesse Redman 76, 77, 153, +9; t57, Thomas Ruli 78 80, 158, +14. Team B: 2nd of 17 teams (296, 290, 586, +10) Individuals: t9, Grant Luisi 75, 71, 146, +2; t9, Hugh Corbin 76, 70, 146, +2; t16, Wesley Hunter 71, 76, 147, +3; t27, David Kirkman 74, 77, 151, +7; t53, Michael Abram 84, 73, 157, +13. Team C: 14th out of 17 teams (322, 316, 638, +62) Individuals: t37, Gerry Portela 77, 77, 154, +10; t37, Samuel Jones 78, 76, 154, +10; t37, Colton Blagrove 78, 76, 154, +10; 86, Robert Zacary 89, 87, 176, +32; 92, John Culotta 89, W/D; Individuals: 88, Ryan Pilcher 89, 92, 181, +37; 89, Ryan Carney 86, 97, 183, +39; 90, Michael Bradford 101, 95, 196, +52. Oct. 16, 2014 – Badger Shootout held at Spring Hill Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par72, Yardage 6665) Team A: 1st of 4 teams (294, 304, 598, +22) Individuals (out of 39): 4, Wesley Hunter 71, 77, 148, +4; 5, Sheldon Statkewicz 73, 76, 149, +5; t10, Kalle Nilsson 76, 76, 152, +8; t10, Hugh Corbin 77, 75, 152, +8; t19 Grant Luisi 74, 83, 157, +13; Individuals: 2, Colton Blagrove 74, 72, 146, +2; 3, Jesse Redman 75, 72, 147, +3; t7, Michael Abram 75, 76, 151, +7; t13, Jordan Portal 78, 76, 154, +10; t19, Samuel Jones 83, 74, 157, +13; t21, Thomas Ruli 81, 77, 158, +14; t24, David Kirkman 84, 76, 160, +16; t27, Gerry Portela 87, 77, 164, +20; 34, Ryan Carney 86, 85, 171, +27; 35, Robert Zacary 86, 86, 172, +28; 36, Michael Bradford 88, 88, 176, +32.

Oct. 20-21, 2014 – Chick-fil-A Invitational held at Coosa Country Club, Rome, Ga. (Par 72, Yardage 6924) Team: 4th of 21 teams (292, 299, 591, +15) Individuals (out of 112): t8, Wesley Hunter 72, 72, 144, E; t16, Jesse Redman 71, 76, 147, +3; t25, Kalle Nisson 73, 76, 149, +5; t32, Sheldon Statkewicz 76,75, 151, +7; t59, Colton Blagrove 79, 78, 157, +13.

Feb. 21-22, 2015 – FSCC Elizabeth Kling Memorial held at Rock Creek Golf Course, Fairhope, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 6920) Team: 4th of 8 teams (318, 299, 617, +41) Individuals (out of 44): t2, Thomas Ruli 73, 74, 147, +3; t10, Colton Blagrove 82, 71, 153, +9; t22, Gerry Portela 77, 80, 157, +13; t 33, Kalle Nisson 87, 76, 163, +19; 35, Hugh Corbin 86, 78, 164, +20; Individuals: t7, Wesley Hunter.74, 78, 152, +8; t7, Michael Abram 77, 75, 152, +8; t26, Sheldon Statkewicz 80, 78, 158, +14; t36, David Kirkman 86, 79, 165, +24; 40, Grant Luisi 86, 82, 168, +24.

Mar. 2-3, 2015 – Spring Hill College Badger Invitational held at Magnolia Grove Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 7160) Team: 4th of 11 teams (309, 297, 606, +30) Individuals (out of 64): 12, Michael Abram 74, 75, 149, +5; t21 Sheldon Statkewicz 73, 79, 152, +8; t24, Wesley Hunter 83, 70, 153, +9; t26, Kalle Nisson 79, 75, 154, +10; t47, Thomas Ruli 87, 77, 164, +20; Individuals: t13, David Kirkman 74, 76, 150, +6; t13, Grant Luisi 78, 72, 150, +6; t21, Colton Blagrove 74, 78, 152, +8; t33, Jordan Portal 75, 82, 157, +13; t35, Hugh Corbin 83, 75, 158, +14; 57, Samuel Jones 82, 89, 171, +27.

Mar. 23-24, 2015 – LeMoyne-Owen Invitational held at Tunica National Golf Course, Tunica, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 6620) Team: 1st of 9 teams (291, 305, 596, +20) Individuals (out of 44): 2, Sheldon Statkewicz 70, 76, 146, +2; 4, Grant Luisi 75, 74, 149, +5; 5, Jesse Redman 73, 77, 150, +6; 7, Michael Abram 73, 79, 152, +8; t8, Jordan Portal 75, 78, 152, +9.

Mar. 30-31, 2015 – FSCC Glen Lakes Invitational held at Glen Lakes Golf Club, Foley, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 6912) Team: 3rd of 7 teams (308, 318, 309, 935, +71) Individuals (out of 45): t7, Michael Abram 78, 80, 75, 233, +17; 9, Wesley Hunter 83, 77, 74, 234, +18; t17, Jordan Portal 74, 83, 81, 238, +22; t17, Grant Luisi 77, 81, 80, 238, +22; t22, Sheldon Statkewicz 79, 80, 80, 239, +23; Individuals: t10, Jesse Redman 82, 73, 80, 235, +19; t14, Thomas Ruli 80, 80, 77, 237, +21; t26, Gerry Portela 80, 78, 85, 243, +27; t28, David Kirkman 83, 87, 74, 244, +28; 35, Colton Blagrove 89, 85, 77, 251, +35; 39, Samuel Jones 87, 88, 83, 258, +42; 43, Ryan Carney 89, 91, 96, 276, +60; 44, Michael Bradford 107, 92, 94, 293, +77; 45, Kalle Nisson 86, W/D.

Apr. 6-7, 2015 – Morehouse Invitational held at West Pines Golf Course,Douglasville, Ga. (Par 71, Yardage 6808) Team: 1st of 5 teams (281, 282, 563, +13) Individuals: 1, Wesley Hunter 67, 66, 133, -9; 3, Jesse Redman 70, 71, 141, -1; t4, Sheldon Statkewicz 74, 72, 146, +2; t4, Michael Abram 73, 73, 146, +4; t4, Thomas Ruli 71, 75, 146, +4.

WOMEN’S 2015-2016 ROSTER

NAME CL. HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

ALEXANDRIA RYALS SR. MOBILE, ALA./GULF BREEZE (FLA.) HS

MARY GRACE POLLET JR. BATON ROUGE, LA./ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY

SARA CRINNION SO. ST. LOUIS, MO./INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY

CHRISTINE GRZESIAK SO. NAPERVILLE, ILL./NAPERVILLE NORTH HS

LAUREN KASUDA SO. KENSINGTON, MD./ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE HS (D.C.)

MARGARET NELSON SO. KANSAS CITY, MO./NOTRE DAME DE SION

NIKKI BRYARS FR. CHESAPEAKE, VA./GRASSFIELD HS

ALEXA SHELTON FR. ST. LOUIS, MO./OAKVILLE SENIOR HS

HANNAH VINES FR. ROGERSVILLE, ALA./LAUDERDALE CO. HS

Alexandria Ryals Senior

Christine Grzesiak Sophomore

Nikki Bryars Freshman

Mary Grace Pollet Junior

Lauren Kasuda Sophomore

Alexa Shelton Freshman

Sara Crinnion Sophomore

Margaret Nelson Sophomore

Hannah Vines Freshman

WOMEN’S 2014-2015 RESULTS

Sept. 28-29, 2014– Union University Invitational held at Jackson Country Club, Jackson, Tenn. (Par 72, Yardage 5995) Team: 5th of 5 teams (347, 336, 683, +107) Individuals (out of 38): t4, Alexandria Ryals 80, 78, 158, +14; t13, Rachel Failla 85, 80, 165, +21; 25, Christine Grzesiak 87, 91, 178, +34; t27, Maggie Nelson 95, 87, 182, +38; 29, Lauren Kasuda 98, 91, 189, +45.

Oct. 16, 2014 – Spring Hill College Fall Invitational held at Spring Hill Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 5810) Team: 4th of 4 teams (367, 353, 720, +144) Individuals (out of 25): t8, Rachel Failla 86, 82, 168, +24; 10, Alexandria Ryals 86, 83, 169, +25; 21, Lauren Kasuda 93, 95, 188, +44; 22, Maggie Nelson 102, 93, 195, +51; 23, Christine Grzesiak 105, 100, 205, +61; 24, Stephanie Lee 103, 104, 207, +63.

Oct. 20-21, 2014 – Chick-fil-A Invitational held at Stonebroidge Golf Club, Rome, Ga. (Par 72, Yardage 5866) Team: 8th of 9 teams (350, 337, 687, +111) Individuals (out of 59): t18, Alexandria Ryals 79, 82 161, +17; t34, Rachel Failla 88, 82, 170, +26; t39, Christine Grzesiak 91, 84, 175, +31; 46, Lauren Kasuda 92, 89, 181, +37; 54, Maggie Nelson 100, 96, 196, +52.

Oct. 27-28, 2014 – William Carey University Classic held at Canebrake Country Club, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 5856) Team: 5th of 7 teams (336, 343, 679, +103) Individuals (out of 32): t1, Alexandria Ryals 73, 75, 148, +4; 18, Rachel Failla 86, 84, 170, +26; 23, Christine Grzesiak 88, 86, 174, +30; t27, Lauren Kasuda 89, 101, 190, +46; 29, Maggie Nelson 94, 98, 192, +48.

Mar. 2-3, 2015 – Spring Hill College Badger Invitational held at Magnolia Grove Crossings Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 6027) Team: 7th of 8 teams (364, 359, 723, +147) Individuals (out of 46): t11, Alexandria Ryals 85, 82, 167, +23; t25, Maggie Nelson 94, 88, 182, +38; t29, Rachel Failla 94, 92, 186, +42; 31, Lauren Kasuda 91, 97, 188, +44; 36, Stephanie Lee 95, 100, 195, +51.

Mar. 9-10, 2014 – Loyola (La.) Invitational held at Oak Harbor Golf Club, Slidell, La. (Par. 72) Team: 6th of 6 teams (368, 389, 757, +181) Individuals (out of 32): t12, Alexandria Ryals 89, 84, 173, +29; t21, Rachel Failla 87, 99, 186, +42; t26, Maggie Nelson 91, 106, 197, +53; 29, Lauren Kasuda 101, 100, 201, +57; 32, Sara Crinion 137, 144, 281, +137.

Mar. 30-31, 2014 – UWF Lady Argo Invitational held at Stonebrook Golf Club,Pace, Fla. (Par 72) Team: 12th of 13 teams (397, 382, 392, 1171, +307) Individuals (out of 72): t26, Alexandria Ryals 83, 78, 84, 245, +29; 65, Lauren Kasuda 105, 102, 99, 306, +90; t66, Christine Grzesiak 103, 102, 102, 307, +91; 70, Madison Oates 111, 100, 107, 318, +102; 71, Mary Grace Pollet 106, 104, 109, 319, +103.

Apr. 20-21, 2014 – Gulf South Conference Championships held at Tunica National Golf Course, Tunica, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 5852) Team: 7th of 8 teams (380, 363, 353, 1096, +232) Individuals (out of 40): t24, Alexandria Ryals 88, 82, 84, 254, +38; t27, Rachel Failla 90, 88, 81, 259, +43; 33, Christine Grzesiak 99, 98, 88, 284, +68; 35, Lauren Kasuda 103, 97, 100, 300, +86; 38, Maggie Nelson 116, 96, 107, 319, +103.

MEN’S 2015-2016 SCHEDULE

DATE EVENT LOCATION

Sept. 28-29

Oct. 5-6

Oct. 19-20

Oct.

Feb.

Feb.

Mar.

Mar. 26-27 13-14 22-23 7-8 14-15

Union University (Tenn.) Invitational

Spring Hill College Badger Shootout

University of North Alabama TVA Invitational

Mississippi Gulf Coast CC Invitational

Faulkner State Community College Elizabeth Kling Memorial

University of South Alabama Invitational

Spring Hill College Badger Invitational

William Carey University Collegiate Classic

Mar. 28-29 University of North Alabama Spring Classic

Jackson, Tenn.

Mobile, Ala.

Killen, Ala.

Gulfport, Miss.

Fairhope, Ala.

Mobile, Ala.

Semmes, Ala.

Hattiesburg, Miss.

Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Apr. 4-5 University of West Florida Invitational Gulf Breeze, Fla.

WOMEN’S 2015-2016 SCHEDULE

DATE EVENT LOCATION

Sept. 28-29

Union University (Tenn.) Invitational

Jackson, Tenn.

Sept. 5-6 Spring Hill College Badger Shootout Mobile, Ala

Oct.

Oct. Feb.

Lee University (Tenn.) Invitational

University of South Alabama Invitational

Spring Hill College Badger Invitational

University of West Florida Invitational Gulf South Conference Championships

Cleveland, Tenn.

Mobile, Ala

Mobile, Ala.

Pensacola, Fla.

Muscle Shoals, Ala.