Men's Golf
2008-09 Men's Golf Season Preview
The 2008 season brings a lot of questions for Coach Chris Hess and the Bethel College men's golf team. After losing three seniors to graduation and having another top five player from last year transfer, the Pilots will rely on the experience of seniors as well as the youth and potential of underclassmen. Gone are seniors Gavin Wilkinson, Ryan Francis and Joel Girten. The three seniors finished highly successful careers in May as the Pilots finished 20th in the nation at the NAIA National Tournament. The loss of the three seniors and their tournament experience may be a factor early but the Pilots high expectations remain nonetheless for the fall season and into the spring conference and NAIA schedule.
The cupboard is far from bare for Bethel as they return the tournament savvy and highly decorated veterans Eric Lebold and Jon Bonfiglio. The tandem from Elkhart has been a part of a resurging program that has won 14 tournaments, a first ever MCC championship and two births in the NAIA National Tournament in the past three years alone. Both Lebold and Bonfiglio were members of the All-MCC team last year and will be expected to become the leaders of a team that is now quite young. If his play this summer is any indication of what to expect from Eric Lebold, it should be a great year for the Pilots. A resounding 10-under-par cumulative score in the Elkhart City Championship earned Lebold a convincing victory and the tournament experience should go far for his confidence going into the fall. Bonfiglio, whose consistency and ability to go low have carried the Pilots the past two seasons, is sure to bring his "A" game for his final season as well. "I can't say enough about these two," said Coach Chris Hess. "Their golf game speaks for itself, but even more impressive is the young men that they have become and the impact that they are making on others. I want this to be a great year for them on the golf course but know that when golf is over God will continue to use both Eric and Jon in a powerful way.”
Joining Lebold and Bonfiglio as the only returners from last season is sophomore Eric Carnacchi. Carnacchi had a tremendous high school career in Dearborn, MI and nearly earned a spot on the all conference team as a freshman, falling just short in the final hole of the MCC tournament. The experience and growth of college life, college golf and the work put in this summer should lead to great things for Carnacchi this year. Coach Hess expects great things from Carnacchi in his second year at BC. "Eric has so much raw ability and I am very anxious to see how he puts things together this season," said Coach Hess. "As he gains further game day pressure and grows in his confidence and preparation, Eric will continue to achieve great things for this team.”
Continuing the recent phenomenon that is "Elkhart Recruiting", the Pilots are excited to about the addition of Jon Enfield (Elkhart Christian Academy) and Greg Lebold (Concord) to the mix this season. The freshmen duo will be thrown into the fire from the offset and surely have the ability to make an immediate impact for the Pilots. "I have no hesitation whatsoever in the talent and ability of these two," said Coach Hess. "There is always a learning curve for freshman but these two should be very comfortable with their teammates and with tournament golf and I expect them to perform very well for us.”
"We have come so far and achieved so much in recent years with this program and although we have a different vibe and personnel about us this year, I have nothing but the highest expectations for this team," said Coach Hess. "Our focus this year will be to continue to strive to be champions, while always maintaining the character of Christ in all that we do."
The Pilots begin their season on August 29th as they travel to Bedford Valley, MI to compete in the Olivet College Classic. They will also compete at IWU and Malone and will host the Bethel Classic before travelling to Panama City, FL for the NCCAA National Tournament in October.
