SJU Athletics Photos

PHILADELPHIA (2/01/04) - After coming within a hair of the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2003 with a school-best second place finish at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship, expectations for the Saint Joseph's golf program have soared to new heights. The return of A-10 Medalist and Rookie of the Year Billy Stewart, All-League honoree Sean Seese and two-time team MVP Brian McDermott lead a Hawk contingent that has aspirations for even greater success in 2003-04. Tabbed as the A-10's Coach of the Year in 2003, Bob Lynch has transformed the Hawk program into one of the Mid-Atlantic region's most respected program's during his tenure. “Our success has signaled to outsiders that top players go to St. Joe's. Billy, Sean and Brian are proof that some of the region's best golfers can be found right here at SJU.” Stewart proved to be all he was advertised and more during his first collegiate season. The newcomer captured Atlantic 10 Rookie and Player of the Week accolades after his first invitational and capped the year by being named both the A-10's Most Outstanding Performer and Most Outstanding Rookie after capturing individual medalist honors at the Conference Championship. He was SJU's top finisher at seven of 11 events and topped the team with a 74.5 stroke average for the year. Fellow sophomore Seese joined Stewart on the all-conference team and the tandem gives the Hawks a formidable one-two punch. A two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week choice during the season, Seese finished the year with the team's second best stroke average (76.1). He had four top-20 finishes and finished the year by placing third at the A-10 Championship, the third-highest finish by a Hawk at the event. McDermott, who was honored as the team's most valuable player for the second time in three years, serves as a steady presence. The senior captain ranked third on the team with a 76.3 stroke average and placed in the top 20 five times during the year. Seniors Bill Devlin and Tom Spano provide the Hawks with valuable depth in the team's rotation. Devlin emerged as a regular in the Hawk lineup late in the fall. He averaged 78.9 strokes in 19 rounds of play and closed out the spring with a career-best 29th place finish at the A-10 Championship. Spano saw steady action during the fall season and averaged 80.2 strokes in 15 rounds over the course of the year. Senior Ryan MacDonald and juniors Steve Curry and Tom Flatley rounded out the Hawk roster. MacDonald has the most experience of the trio, but all should push for a spot in the Hawks top five this year. The SJU linksters will once again has been bolstered by a recruiting class that features some of the Mid-Atlantic region's most accomplished prep golfers. The trio of Ryan McCarty, Chris Reedman and Jim Robertson could all break into the starting lineup as rookies. A four-time all-area pick, Reedman captured medalist honors at the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, helping La Salle High School to its eighth straight league crown. Robertson, meanwhile, was runner-up to Reedman at the league championship and was named the Golf Association of Philadelphia's Junior Player of the Year in 2002. McCarty was one of South Jersey's top linksters. SJU will once again take on one of the most demanding schedules in the East. The Hawks will compete in six fall invitationals, including the James Madison, Temple and Xavier Invitationals. Six more evens are on tap for the spring with competition at the Towson, Princeton and Penn State Invites.