SFU - Back On The Course Once Again

SFU officially gained membership in the NCAA's Greater Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) two months ago---a 10-team Division II conference that consists of members in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

Zach Dietz of the host St. Martin's Saints won the overall individual title with a combined score of (71-69) four-under par 140---two strokes ahead of runner-up Sam Holland of University of Victoria Vikes. The Saints overcome a seven-shot deficit to claim the team title in the field of 19 schools with a score of seven-over par 583.

CSU Monterey Bay was second overall with a two-day total of 586 with Western Washington taking home third at 590.

The UBC Thunderbirds, second after the opening round, faded to fourth (592) on Saturday.

Dennis Nikou was the top T-Bird, finishing tied for third at (143) one-under par for the weekend. Conrado Paderes also cracked the top 10, finishing tied for ninth at 3-over par 147. Jared Hunza, Shane O'Neill, and Jack Wesche all tied for 43rd at 153.

Holland, a UVic rookie from New Minas, NS, shot a three-under 69 in the final round to finish the two-day tournament at 142 and leading the Vikes men's team to a sixth place team finish (595), 12 strokes off the pace of St. Martins

Holland's twin brother, James Holland tied for 36th with a two-day total of 151. Chase Teron carded a 72 on his final round to finish the tournament at 149, which was good enough for a share of 20th place.

SFU's Doug Cheung turned in the best performance for the Clan with a two-round total of (74-75) five-over par 149 to finish 20th overall in the field of 100. Nate Beauchamp finished in 59th place at (78-79) 157.

Members of the 2009 SFU Clan men's golf team, all from BC, include:
Gavin Symmans of Vernon, who attended high school at
West Island School, Hong Kong and now plays out of thePitt Meadows Golf Club;
Douglas Cheung of Richmond, a student from West Point Grey Academy and plays out of Mayfair Lakes;
Gord Swenson of Richmond and HJ Cambie Secondary, a transfer from Douglas College, CSU Stanislaus, Langara and calls Mayfair Lakes Golf Course is home course;
Nate Beauchamp of Burnaby and St. Thomas More Collegiate and is the Vancouver Golf Club Junior Club Champion for 2009;
Adam Karim of Coqauitlam and Centennial Secondary, another
Vancouver Golf Club member who won the club championship at Westwood Plateau Academy at 14 and was the Mens club champion at Meadow Gardens at 16;
Ahmed Amlani of Surrey, a student at Semiahmoo Secondary and the two-time Junior Champion (2004, 2006) at his home course of Morgan Creek;
Michael Lawren of Richmond, attended Steveston-London Secondary School, was Captain of the AAA High School Regional Champions, Captain of Kwantlen Eagles Golf Team and Men's club champion at his home course, the Richmond Country Club

The Clan road trip continues Monday and Tuesday when the team plays in the Western Washington University Invitational at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.

Beginning with the 2011-12 season, after a two-year transition period, all SFU Clan varsity teams will compete in the NCAA's Division II in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) in a provisional role. SFU is eligible for active member status in 2012-13.

SFU has been without a golf program for a couple of season but returning to give the Clan some direction once again is head coach for both the men's and women's teams, John Buchanan.

As head coach, Buchanan is no stranger to SFU Athletics, having served as head coach of the men's soccer program from 1966-1980, a stretch that included seven regional championships and SFU's first men's soccer NAIA National Championship in 1976. Buchanan was elected the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in the 'Builder Category' in 2006 and in the early 1990s Buchanan began a second career as head coach of the SFU golf program.

"Obviously I'm very happy to be back helping SFU Golf," said Buchanan. "This is an outstanding opportunity to reestablish the program, we have already secured the Vancouver Golf Club as our home course and recruiting for the forthcoming season is well underway."

The last season for golf as a varsity sport at SFU was in 2005-06, and historically the program competed primarily in the NAIA, with a schedule that featured both NAIA and NCAA Division II competition. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Clan were one of the top programs in the NAIA, winning 11 NAIA Regional Championships during a 13-year stretch, culminating with a second place finish at the 1999 NAIA National Championships. That same season SFU golfer Brent Osachoff won the individual NAIA National Championship in a playoff with a score of 289 over 72-holes, and was named SFU Male Athlete of the Year.

For more info on Clan golf visit SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY GOLF