2017 Men's Golf Season Preview

After winning their third Big 8 Conference title last year, the FLC men's golf team is not ready to rest on their laurels.  "Even though we won the Big 8 last year, the team did not play up to expectations in the postseason," noted head coach Barry Zarecky.  "I think they feel like there is some unfinished business to take care of."  That 2016 team, ranked #1 in NorCal, struggled to fourth in the NorCal Tournament, barely edging out Chabot for the final qualifying spot to the State Championship, where they finished eighth.  

The 2017 Falcons return four players, including 2016 Big 8 MVP Mason Troike, 2015 NorCal champion Chad VanderDussen (who redshirted last year),  and 2016 All-Conference player Chris McKnight.   The other returnee is sophomore Connor Scott, who played in nine tournaments for the Falcons in 2016.  Competing for a spot in the six-man lineup will be newcomers Max Menconi (Jesuit HS), Austin Bennett (Lincoln HS), Hunter Russ (Elk Grove HS), Jacob Russell (Chaparral HS, Colorado), and redshirt freshman Connor Gaymon (Oak Ridge HS). 

With the solid core of returnees, the success of this year's squad will depend on how the freshmen respond.  The Falcons will get their first glimpse of their potential today (Wed. Jan. 25) in a scrimmage against Napa Valley at Rancho Murieta.  They'll begin their title defense next week at the Stanford Invitational on Wednesday, February 1.

The Falcons will play 13 Big 8 Conference Tournaments, including two at their home course of Rancho Murieta – on Wednesday February 8 and Wednesday March 8 – as well as nearby courses Ancil Hoffman and Whitney Oaks.