Sept. 11, 2005

Los Angeles, CA (Sept. 11) -- With one of its best recruiting classes in program history, combined with a group of talented returning players and a new on campus facility, the Loyola Marymount University men's golf team has begun to turn heads and will look to challenge the West Coast Conference in 2005-06.

"I can see a much improved group of players and teammates as we start this season," said fourth-year Head Coach Alex Galvan. "They are already in better shape than they were a year ago and the team chemistry with this group is the best since I became involved with the program."

LMU opens at the Fairway Club Invitational, hosted by the University of Nebraska on Sept. 12-13. The Lions are one of 13 teams in the tournament, which includes host Nebraska, Army Creighton, Drake, Hartford, Illinois State, UMKC, Missouri State, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, St. Louis and Texas-Pan American.

Despite a disappointing eighth place finish last season after two players competed in the West Coast Conference Championship with injuries, the Lions have gained momentum with the additions they have made to the program.

This fall the Lions opened the short game center named after former head coach Fr. Thomas Higgins, SJ. The state-of-the-art facility will give the Lions an opportunity to work on a part of the game that Galvan says is the key to the team's success.

"From the start we are working backwards. We are starting at the pin and working our way back," said Galvan. "The short game, the use of our putter and wedge, has been a struggle for us. Every one can hit it a country mile. It all comes down to that final 120 yards, and even more important inside 100 feet. With the short game center and our focus in every practice, we will get better."

Along with the new facility, the Lions will add one of its best recruiting classes to an already well recognized group of returning players. The Lions return all five players who competed in the WCC Championship last season.

In two of the past three seasons the Lions have had the freshman of the year in the WCC. Senior Chaz Inouye earned the honor in his first season during the 2002-03 campaign. He will now lead the team in his fourth and final season.

Sophomore Jason D'Amore earned Freshman of the Year honors by the WCC a year ago and added to his list of accomplishments a first-team All-WCC selection. In his first season of collegiate golf, D'Amore led the Lions in 10 of the 11 tournaments played in, falling down the standings in the WCC Championship due to a strained back suffered in the final practice. D'Amore's season included a win at the Vandal Fall Classic, posting an LMU record of 203 (-10). He also tied the single round record with a 64.

"This is one the most cohesive groups we have had here at LMU and our returning players enter this season much stronger and motivated to improve every day," said Galvan. Junior Brendan von Doehren, who led the Lions at the WCC Championship last season, lowered his average nearly a full stroke and returns for his third full season at LMU.

Junior Jason Wilk and sophomore Josh Escobedo also return to the Lions' roster this season. Wilk went from just eight rounds in his freshman season to 27 a year ago, posting a career-best 74 in the Vandal Fall Classic. Escobedo proved to be a pleasant surprise for the Lions as the walk-on joined the team late and finished the season fourth on the team in average (77.45). His score of 215 at the Braveheart Classic tied for the fourth best on the team in 2004-05.

In addition to the top returners comes the Lions top incoming class. "This is one of, if not the best recruiting classes we have had here, and a large part of that has to do with Brian," said Galvan.

That Brian is Brian Locke, a high school All-American and four-time all-league performer out of St. Bernard High School in nearby Playa del Rey. Locke averaged 34.6 per nine holes in high school and competed in the American Junior Golf Association FootJoy Boys Invitational, taking third with an eight-under 280. Joining Locke as freshmen on this year's squad is Louie Bergna from Riverside Poly High School, Sherwin Kim and Joe Stassi from Mira Costa High School. "Like our returning players, all of our incoming freshman got stronger over the summer and improve each time they are out on the course," said Galvan.

The Lions schedule continues to improve as it is filled with top NCAA Division-I competition. "I am excited about our schedule," said Galvan. "Our goal is to be playing top competition in every event, and we are doing that."

The Lions will play five fall tournaments and then play six in the spring, including the Carson Daly Intercollegiate, hosted by LMU on Feb. 27-28 at Robinson Ranch Golf Club. The Lions will end the regular season at the WCC Championships on April 17-18 at Saddlecreek Golf Course in Copperopolis, Calif.

- GO LIONS -