About Men's Golf
The Aggies have had eight winning records and one .500 mark in the last 21 years, including undefeated runs in both 2004 and 2006. They captured their first-ever Freedom Conference Championship in 2005 and were conference runners-up in both 2003 and 2006.
Mike Everingham capped a career to remember in 2006 as he won the Freedom Conference individual crown. This followed up the 2005 campaign that saw him finish second in the conference by just two strokes.
In 2015, junior transfer Dom Foti captured the Freedom individual championship as he pulled away from the field and won by 10 strokes.Â
The Aggies, under 2005 Freedom Conference Coach of the Year Doug Linde, hit the links in both the fall and the spring at Five Ponds Golf Club in nearby Warminster, Pennsylvania.
MORE INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
The team competes in about 12 events per year. Events include tournaments with 12-20 teams, matches with two to four teams, and the conference championship. The entire season revolves around the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Championship at the end of April—the team champion gets an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III national championship in May.
How do I tryout for the team?
1. Contact Coach Linde
2. Complete necessary paperwork
3. Attend first qualifier (team members compete against each other to determine rank)
4. 10 to 12 players are usually on the team
What do you need to shoot to have a good chance at qualifying for events?
Regularly shoot less than 85Â in competition from 6,500 yards and you have a great chance at qualifying.
Do I need to be on my high school golf team?
No, but it helps to have competition experience and understand the rules of golf. Most recruits have played on a team in high school.
What are tournaments like?
Most are one-day, 18-hole events with 12-20 teams from various conferences. Five players per team compete and the lowest four scores are summed for a team score. Shotgun starts are often used so teams finish near same time. Individual and team awards are given. The conference championship is a three-day event with an overnight stay.
What is the home course (Five Ponds GC) like?
Five Ponds of Warminster is a public course about 10 minutes from campus. It has a driving range with natural grass tees, a 2-green short game area, and a large putting green. The course is normally in good condition. Home matches are often played at Lookaway Golf Club.
How do you get to the golf course?
Most students bring a car to campus so they can more conveniently travel to and from practice. Freshman typically must get a letter of request from Coach Linde to bring a car during freshman year. If a student does not have a car, then they can get a ride from other golfers or from Coach Linde.
How are practices run?
There is a mix of team and individual practice. Team members need to play in intrasquad qualifiers when scheduled and practice individually. Players have the flexibility to practice and play based on their own class schedule. They also can schedule private practice time with Coach Linde or other team members.
How are players selected for events?
Usually three to four, nine or 18-hole intrasquad qualifiers are played at Five Ponds during both the fall and spring seasons. The five lowest scores qualify for the first event. Typically, the player that shoots highest at the first event goes back to the next qualifier with players that failed to qualify for the first event. The players with the four lowest scores from the first event are exempt for the second event. Sometimes there will be more than one position that needs to be filled.
What does it cost to be on the team?
The College covers the cost of range balls and greens fees. The College also offers free rental of a team shirt and bag--many players elect to purchase their team shirt and bag. Golf balls and per diem money are also offered on event days.
How far does the team travel?
Usually less than two hours one way. This helps to limit the number of classes missed since most events occur on a weekday.
How does the team earn a spot in the NCAA DIII National Championship?
As a team, you must win your conference championship. As an individual, you must be voted in by a selection committee. Only five individual players per year are selected nationally--so it is a slim chance.
Does Delaware Valley University offer golf scholarships?
No. NCAA Division III institutions cannot offer athletic scholarships—it’s against the rules. However, our University does offer various academic scholarships and greater than 80% of students get some form of academic scholarship.
Who is Coach Doug Linde?
Coach Linde or Dr. Linde is also a Professor of Turf Management at the University -- usually about half the team majors in Turf Management. He has extensive competitive golf experience including four years of NCAA golf. Plus, Dr. Linde has much experience with golf course maintenance, design, and construction. He often uses his contacts in the golf industry to get the team access to highly rated golf courses such as Saucon Valley Country Club and Huntingdon Valley Country Club.
