Coming off its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, the Penn State Altoona men's golf team will look to repeat as Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference champions this fall and return to the NCAA Tournament in May.

The Lions bring back a core group of five players who all played significant roles in the reemergence of the program in 2021-22. Led by junior Trey Heffelfinger (Mount Union, PA/Mount Union), a two-time AMCC first team all-conference performer, the Lions' lineup is flush with experience.

"Trey has moments of brilliance, his record setting performances, and multiple AMCC Player of the Week nods last year prove that. There is no doubt he is capable of more if he can find some consistency with the putter and can grind out the rounds he isn't going to go real low in," said 17th-year head coach Tom Koehle. "I am excited to return four other players who all saw significant and impactful time in their first season last year.  That experience should help us take the next steps competitively."

Sophomores Logan Divald (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin), Joey Toth (South Park, PA/South Park), Nathan Graham (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin), and Jacob Carlin (Fayetteville, PA/Chambersburg) comprise the returning stable of experience. All four saw significant playing time and contributed either at the AMCC Championship or NCAA Championship last season.

"Logan was a second team All-AMCC player in 2021 and has prodigious length off the tee. He also played a solid summer of competitive golf and can be a spark that lights the flame for our fall season. Joey, Nathan, and Jacob have very high ceilings, and with a year of college academics and golf under their belts, I am hopeful they can continue their improvement from last year and be more consistent with scoring," Koehle added.  "They all earned great experience at the highest levels of postseason golf, and that can only help in their development."

The Lions welcome five first-year golfers, as well. Koehle looks for this class to contribute and push the established players to be better.

"In order to grow as a program, there needs to be growth on the recruiting trail, and this class will hopefully be as impactful as the sophomore class was last year," he said. "The five newcomers should challenge our returning roster and push them to improve daily at practice and in competition. In the long run, this makes each individual better and the program better."

Jack DiTrani (Hinsdale, IL/Benet Academy), Michael Gloth (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg), Syrak Nemer (Coronado, CA/Coronado), Peter Nusbaum (Pittsboro, NC/Thales Academy), and Owen Wise (Lewistown, PA/Mifflin County) will join the Lion program, bringing a wealth of junior golf experience and success.

"Peter and Jack have deep junior golf experience and success," Koehle noted. "From AJGA, Hurricane Tour, state, and regional golf tournaments, both players have had success in some of the best junior golf fields in the country. Both should have a great experience in our program and bring out the best in our team."

"Owen, Michael, and Syrak were leaders on their respective high school teams and all-conference high school players. That experience can translate into success at the Division III level. I look for each of them to make an impact as freshmen and build their foundation for future growth," stated Koehle.

Once again, Koehle has organized a strong fall competitive schedule balanced with an outstanding quality of courses to enhance the experience for Lion golfers. As they look to prepare for a repeat performance at the AMCC Championship, the Lions will take on some of the strongest Division III competition at highly-ranked locations.

The Lions will open up their season on September 3, traveling to AMCC rival Pitt-Bradford for the Pitt-Bradford Invitational at the Pennhills Club, then continue their schedule on September 11-12 at The Gauntlet at Dauphin Highlands in Harrisburg.

"The Gauntlet is a great early test in our schedule," Koehle said. "There will be seven conference champions from 2021-22 in the field, so we can test our mettle against quality opponents right off the bat."

Returning home, the Lions will co-host the two-day Mountain Valley Collegiate Classic with Mount Aloysius College, an event that will be comprised of 12 college golf programs. Day one is September 16 at Sinking Valley Country Club, the home of the Lions, with day two at Summit Country Club in nearby Cresson. The second edition of the Hite Cup Match Play, which pits the Lions against PAC rival Westminster College, will be played at Olde Stonewall in Ellwood City on September 20.

"The Hite Cup is a great new tradition we are continuing for year two with Westminster.  We are grateful for Lee Hite to have hosted last year at Laurel Valley to kick us off, and Olde Stonewall is another elite venue as one of the best public courses in Pennsylvania, according to Golfweek," said Koehle. "This is a celebration of Mr. Hite's passion for golf and his affinity for both institutions. We have a friendly rivalry with Westminster, as both programs are consistently in contention for their conference championships."

For the sixth time in seven years, the Lions will compete in Allegheny College's Guy and Jeanne Kuhn Invitational, which features some of the strongest regional teams. The two-day event is at the Country Club of Meadville on September 25-26.

Kicking off October, Koehle's squad will travel to the greater Columbus, Ohio area for the NCAA Region V Fall Preview. With regional realignment in 2021, the Lions now are the eastern-most program geographically in a region that pulls from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. The Region V Preview will be played October 3-4 at the Virtues Club in Nashport, one of Golfweek Magazine's highest ranked courses in Ohio.

Wrapping up the fall slate is the AMCC Championship at The Club at Nevillewood in Presto, Pa. The Lions will co-host with Mount Aloysius for the second consecutive year, and Koehle sees Nevillewood as another quality venue for the conference.

"The Club at Nevillewood is one of the premier clubs in the Pittsburgh area and the state, and the golf course is as good of a championship test as any in the AMCC footprint," he asserted. "The staff and membership have been welcoming, and we are proud to host the tournament at such a revered club."

The AMCC champion receives the conference's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Championship, to be contested at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ky. from May 16-19, 2023. Should the Lions repeat as champions, it would be their seventh AMCC crown and sixth NCAA Tournament appearance.