Medaille Golf Club

Officers
President: Mike Pici
VP: Bryan Hansen
 
History:  

Medaille's Golf Club was established in the spring of 2001 by student Mike Pici and Professor Mark Lavatelli with the assistance of Professor Jim Brace and Dr. Herdlein, former Dean of Students. The Club's home course is at Tan Tara Golf Club in North Tonawanda, NY. Tan Tara has been very supportive of the Club's expansion. In its first year, the Club attracted a group of interested and enthusiastic student participants and membership continues to grow. The Club members immediately formed a bond that is still continuing today.

Accomplishments:

The Club received an award for the Best New Club of the Year in 2002 and became the first Medaille student club to launch its own website. After receiving a number of invitations, the Club has participated in a number of national and local college golf tournaments. The Club has tripled its membership in just one year and has held several skills competitions during the Medaille student/staff picnics. In addition, the Club held a successful fundraiser in conjunction with a Buffalo Sabres game that raised over $400. in one evening.

Goals:

Although the club participates in NCAA tournaments, Mike Pici and Mark Lavatelli, the Club's founders, have always maintained a vision of developing the club into a new NCAA Division III team sport.

NCAA tournaments:

The Golf Club competed in several national tournaments over the last two years. The Medaille Team has competed in the Lake Erie Invitational in Painsville, Ohio, as well as the Hobart Invitational. The team also competes in local matches against other area colleges including Hilbert, D'Youville, and Daemen.       

1st Annual Alumni Golf Tournament:

President Mike Pici and the Golf Club approached David Butler, Director of Alumni Affairs, in the fall of 2001 with the idea of hosting an annual alumni golf tournament. The First Annual Alumni Golf Tournament was held on April 27th 2002 at Byrncliff Golf Club. The day consisted of fun, friends, and good times. One hundred golfers attended the event, and several major sponsors supported the tournament. Major sponsors included Basil Chevrolet, which sponsored a HOLE-IN-ONE contest with a 2002 Monte Carlo as the prize. Smaller prizes were also auctioned off, which were a big hit among the participants.

Medaille's 2nd Annual Alumni Golf Tournament - Slated for May 19, 2003

The 2003 Tournament is scheduled for May 19, 2003 at Byrncliff Golf Club. The day will consist of a shotgun start, prizes, and golfing with great friends. The Club hopes that people will come out and support our continually growing golf program and Medaille College.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Medaille College Golf Team along with the special projects of the Capital Campaign for facility expansion. The Golf Club represents a group of young and motivated students - who love golf - and also want to make a difference by helping the College raise the remaining funds to meet the Kresge Foundation challenge grant. Click here for Capital Campaign details.

For further information, contact Mike Pici or Bryan Hansen at 716.884.3411 Ext. 129 or the Office of Alumni Affairs 716.884.3411 ext. 315. Mike and Bryan can also be reached online at mikepici @aol.com or bhansen@medaille.edu.