Cougars Regional Champs, place 9th in Nationals  

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For the second straight season, the HCC Golf team went undefeated in the region (18-0 in 2008, 12-0 in 2009). The Cougars won the Regional Championship and qualified for the National Championship (held in Chautauqa, NY, June 2-5), where they placed ninth out of 13 teams.

Highlights of the Cougars’ outstanding 2009 season include a five-team tournament hosted by Adirondack Community College (Hudson Falls, NY), where the team beat #6 nationally-ranked Mohawk Valley Community College by six strokes, and the Regional Championship hosted by Springfield Technical Community College, at Chicopee Country Club, where HCC dominated by the wide margin of 36 strokes.

Though flush with talented players, such as First Team All-American and two-time All-New England sophomore, Greg Strattner, of Westfield; Jason Dzialo, Mark Glidden, and Ryan Bell of Easthampton; Doug Cameron of Belchertown; Chris Reichelt of West Springfield; and Matt Maynard of Westfield; Coach Brian Shelasky attributes this season's success to a total team effort.

“From indoor practice in March through the Regional Championship, every player practiced and competed hard” he said.  “This year's team motto going into Nationals, developed by Greg Strattner and Mark Glidden, was "let's take care of business."  I am very proud of our players and the golf program as a whole."

Ninety-three golfers took part in the Nationals, where HCC shot a four-round 1270 (+118) and improved on last year’s 10th place finish.  Greg Strattner finished his stellar HCC career tied for 42nd place (+25, 313).  Both Matt Maynard and Mark Glidden finished tied for 49th place, shooting +29, 317.  Ryan Bell shot a +39, 327 (73rd place), and Jason Dzialo a +43, 331 (T-78th). Congratulations to the team and coaches for their hard work and commitment.

Photo: Front row: Jason Dzialo, Greg Strattner, Mark Glidden, Ryan Bell

Back row:  Matthew Maynard, Doug Cameron (captain), Coach Brian Shelasky

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