2012-13
UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY CONNECTICUT OF CONNECTICUT GOLF
(Front row, l-r) John Flaherty, Zach Zaback, Brian Hughes, Mike Masso, Stephen Pastore, Dane Rosa. (Second row, l-r) Head Coach Dave Pezzino, Dan Myers, Cameron MacKay, Corey Birch, Chris Wiatr, Volunteer Assistant Coach Jon Wortmann, Volunteer Assistant Coach Carl Girasoli
2012-13 University of Connecticut Men’s Golf Team Name Brian Hughes* Mike Masso* Chris Wiatr Dan Myers Dane Rosa Corey Birch John Flaherty Cameron MacKay Stephen Pastore Zach Zaback
Cl. Senior Junior Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman
Hometown/High School Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Prep Suffield, Conn./Suffield Woodbury, Conn./Canterbury School Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield Mansfield, Conn./E.O. Smith Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury Brookfield, Conn./The Gunnery Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich Farmington, Conn./Farmington
* --- Team captain Head Coach: Dave Pezzino (6th year) Volunteer Assistant Coach: Carl Girasoli Volunteer Assistant Coach: Jon Wortmann 2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY CONNECTICU T OF CONNECTICUT GOLF
HEAD COACH DAVE PEZZINO Dave Pezzino is beginning his sixth season as the head coach of men’s golf at the University of Connecticut. He was named to the position on August 24, 2007. T h e Pe z z i n o e ra at UConn has been marked by a significant upgrade to the competition schedule. “I have tried to challenge our team with the schedule and I think it has really paid off for us,” Coach Pezzino said. “By playing tough competition and great layouts, our squad learns how to compete and, more importantly, learns how to win.” Under Pezzino, UConn has had 20 players named BIG EAST Academic All-Stars, two All-Conference picks, five AllNortheast Region selections, and four All-New England picks. The Fall of 2009 saw the Huskies capture the New England Championship, the first title under Pezzino. Jeb Buchanan also became the first individual medalist under Coach Pezzino when he won the Adams Cup of Newport by shooting three successive scores of 69. He was also named the Golfweek Magazine National Player of the Week. UConn finished sixth in the team competition against a standout field at the Adams Cup, despite having only four players for the final two rounds due to injury. In the Fall of 2011, Pezzino and the Huskies captured another tournament title, winning the Hartford Hawks Invitational by eight strokes as Buchanan won individual medalist honors. That victory was the start of an outstanding three-tourney stretch that saw the Huskies finish third at The Connecticut Cup and second at The Classic at Sheltor Harbor. UConn started the spring portion of its 2011-12 schedule by winning two of its three matches in BIG EAST Match Play and ended with a solid sixth-place finsh in the BIG EAST Championships. Pezzino came to UConn after spending one year as an assistant coach at the University of Illinois and 11 previous seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level. Pezzino (pronounced Pezz-EENO) spent seven years, from August of 1999 to May of 2006, at Florida International as the head coach of the women’s golf program. He led FIU to four tournament victories and 10 individual titles during his tenure and coached 10 All-Sun Belt Conference selections, including 2001 NGCA All-American Michelle Simpson. He had three student-athletes earn Academic All-American recognition and five former team members that are currently playing professionally. During his time at Florida International, Pezzino also worked at the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral Golf Resort, one of the premier golf teaching facilities in the world. He earned the status of master instructor, one of few instructors in the country to reach that level for McLean. “Dave did an outstanding job working for me at Doral,” said McLean. “He has a keen interest in the development of young people.” Pezzino played his collegiate golf at St. Thomas University in Miami, where he became a student-head coach during his senior year of 1996-97. Upon graduation, he continued to serve as the head men’s coach at St. Thomas until August, 1999. He led St. Thomas to consecutive NAIA National Championship appearances in 1998 and 1999, and was named Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year in ’98, leading the squad to the conference title. He coached six individuals to all-conference honors during his tenure. Pezzino has worked with three of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Instructors, and five of his former student-athletes are now golf professionals playing on various tours. His golf background also includes conducting junior golf clinics 2012-13 UCONN GOLF
for Miami-Dade County and working for the South Florida PGA Section as a Rules Official. Pezzino was born on 3/22/72 in North Haven, Conn., and spent seven years living in Connecticut during his adolescent years. He attended Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, N.J., while living in Mahwah, N.J. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports administration from St. Thomas in 1997. Dave and his wife, Kristy were married in 1998. They are the parents of two sets of twins; Joseph and Matthew, born 2/26/04, and Daniel and Kaitlin, born 4/23/09.
UConn Division of Athletics QUICK FACTS
Location: Storrs, CT 06269-3078 Founded: 1881 Switchboard Phone: (860) 486-2000 Enrollment: 28,083 Colors: National Flag Blue (PMS 289) and White Nicknames: Huskies, UConn Conference: BIG EAST President: Dr. Susan Herbst Director of Athletics: Warde Manuel Men’s Golf Head Coach: Dave Pezzino Office Phone: (860) 486-6058 EMail: david.pezzino@uconn.edu Athletics Web Site: UConnHuskies.com
UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY CONNECTICUT OF CONNECTICUT GOLF VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH JON WORTMANN
UConn co-captains Brian Hughes, left, and Mike Masso.
YOUNG UCONN TEAM PREPARES FOR 2012-13 As he enters his sixth year as men’s golf coach at the University of Connecticut, Dave Pezzino faces the 2012-13 season with a young, talented team of Huskies. With five freshmen and five returning players on the roster, Pezzino is ready for the challenge. “I’m very excited about the season,” Pezzino said. “I’ve seen our plan work for the last several years and it’s constantly getting better. I feel like our program is improving every year. The special excitement I have this year is that we have 10 hungry guys who all want to compete. I think qualifying is going to be pretty fierce and I’m excited about that and I’m anxious to see where we can go with all aspects of our game.” The Huskies are hoping to build off the success of last season, when they won the Hartford Hawks Invitational, added two other Top 5 finishes at The Connecticut Cup and The Classic at Shelter Harbor, and ended with a solid sixth-place finish in the Big East Championship. The leadership of the young team will fall primarily on the shoulders of the team captains, senior veteran Brian Hughes and junior Mike Masso, but sophomores Chris Wiatr, Dan Myers, and Dane Rosa are expected to lend solid support. “We’re going to have a young group, but I think it’ll be a close-knit group because the guys we have coming in, a lot of them know the returning players and I think there’s some respect there, right off the bat,” Pezzino said. “I think once the young guys get into the groove of what our work ethic is here at UConn, that it’ll make the transition a lot easier. With the leadership we have, I’m relying heavily on the guys who have a year or two under their belts to break in the pups.” The five newcomers --- Corey Birch, John Flaherty, Cameron MacKay, Stephen Pastore, and Zach Zaback --- join the five returning Huskies to form a completely in-state roster. “It’s not that I didn’t want anybody from outside the state,” Pezzino said. “It’s just that this class with so strong within the state and we thought that we were extremely fortunate that we were able to get them to commit to us.” Naturally, there figures to be a period of adjustment as the freshmen get used to their new world of college life as well as the stiff competition of collegiate golf. The fall season begins on Sept. 16-18 when UConn journeys to the Newport (R.I.) Country Club to compete in the Adams Cup tournament. “They will learn that college golf is an individual sport played on a team basis and the level we play at is always going to be a challenge,” Pezzino explained. “The other thing is, we’re UConn --- we’re the flagship university of Connecticut. It’s an important role that they play as a studentathlete here. “They have to understand that there are things that we do that they have never done before and that they will have to relearn certain things that they’ve been taught. What we have to do is take the great things that they’re coming to UConn with and mold them into the best that we have to offer.” For the 2012-13 UConn Huskies, youth, leadership, and overall excitement are good places to begin.
Jon Wortmann, a noted author, non-profit leader and corporate coach and trainer who specializes in communication, leadership, and stress reduction skills, enters his second year as a volunteer assistant coach for the UConn men’s golf team. Wortmann works with UConn coach Dave Pezzino to help the UConn players develop the mental strength necessary to improve in all phases of the game. He puts emphasis on the decision-making process the players use to become singularly focused on doing one thing at a time. Once each individual discovers how he can focus on the task at hand, blocking out distractions, the stress level is reduced, and the results are improved scores and better consistency. Pezzino credits Wortmann’s coaching with helping each of UConn’s top five players earn a Top 10 finish last season --- a first for UConn golf. Close to a scratch golfer himself, Wortmann lives with wife Jennifer, a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology at UConn, in Ellington, Conn.
VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH CARL GIRASOLI Carl Girasoli starts his eighth season associated with the UConn golf program and has been the volunteer assistant coach since April, 2008. Carl is a native of Norwich, Conn. and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1962. He served four years in the United States Air Force and then worked for 31 years with the Connecticut Department of Transportation as a Senior Engineer before retiring in 1997. Carl has two sons, Anthony (Tony) and Brian and two grandsons, Gio and Nico. Tony and Brian are both alumni of the University of Connecticut. Carl has also worked as a shop clerk at Mohegan Sun Country Club @ Pautipaug since April of 1998 and has been an active member at the University Club of Connecticut (formerly Willimantic Country Club) since 1992.
GOLF EARNS NCAA PUBLIC RECOGNITION AWARD In June, 2012, the University of Connecticut men’s golf team, as well as the men’s cross country and women’s tennis teams, were honored by the NCAA with Academic Program Rate Public Recognition Awards --- given each year to teams with APRs in the top 10 percent in their respective sports. It is the seventh consecutive year the golf team has received the honor since the inception of the award in 2006. “I want to congratulate the student-athletes on our men’s golf, women’s tennis, and men’s cross country teams for their outstanding success in the classroom,” said UConn Director of Athletics Warde Manuel. “Their commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics is to be highly admired. I want to thank the coaching staffs of all three sports and the staff of the Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletics for their efforts as well.” APR scores are a measure of classroom performance of student athletes on every Division I team based on the eligibility and retention for each semester. The award was based on the multi-year APR scores that include the four academic years from 2007-11. The men’s golf team score through that period was a perfect 1000.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICU T MEET THE HUSKIES
BRIAN HUGHES
Senior Fairfield, Conn. Fairfield Prep H. Smith Richardson Golf Club
AT CONNECTICUT: The lone senior on this year’s team. Will be a team captain for the second consecutive year. Has seen action in 24 events as a Husky, averaging 75.74 per round in 65 career rounds. Has recorded three Top 10, seven Top 15, and 13 Top 25 finishes. SPRING 2012: Played in five tournaments, averaging 75.86 per round for 14 rounds, including a career-tying best 69 at the FAU Spring Break. Finished season with three consecutive Top 25 finishes, including a 12th place at the Rutherford Intercollegiate tourney, 21st at the Wolfpack Spring Open, and a 24th at the Big East Championships.. FALL 2011: Played in six tournaments, averaging 74.8 per round for 17 rounds, including a UConn career-low round of 69 (twice). Best finish was fifth place in the Hartford Hawks Invitational, followed by a 10th-place finish at The Connecticut Cup. Added two more Top 25 finishes with a 22nd place at the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate, and a 19th at the Adams Cup of Newport. SPRING 2011: Appeared in three events for the Huskies. Best finish was a tie for 24th at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate. Finished the 2010-2011 season with a per round average of 75.71 in 24 total rounds. FALL 2010: Competed in six tournaments averaging 75.27 in 15 rounds. Had four Top 15 finishes. Best finish was seventh at the 76th Annual NEIGA Championship. SPRING 2010: Played in two events, with a top finish of tied for 17th. Finished first season with UConn averaging 77.20 in 10 rounds of play. FALL 2009: Played in the Connecticut Cup in the fall, shooting a low round of 75 and finishing tied for 45th. Went 1-1-1 at The Match Play. HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time letter-winner at Fairfield Prep for Coach Robert Bernier. ... All-State, All-Area and All-Conference selection. ... Shot a 70 to earn individual medalist honors in Division I High School State Championship in 2009 at Fairview Farms in Harwinton, Conn. ... Also lettered two seasons in swimming. PERSONAL: Brian J. Hughes. ... Born May 14, 1991. ... Son of Alan and Laurel Hughes. ... Home course is H. Smith Richardson Golf Club in Fairfield, 2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEET THE HUSKIES
MIKE MASSO
Junior Suffield, Conn. Suffield High School Lake of Isles / The Ranch Golf Club
AT CONNECTICUT: Joined the squad as a walk-on in 2011-12, and will serve as a team captain this year. Lone junior on the UConn roster. Has played in three events at UConn, averaging 80.88 per round for eight rounds, with a low round of 71. SPRING 2012: Participated in two tournaments, The Farms Invitational and the Wolfpack Spring Open. At the Spring Open, improved his score by 10 strokes from Round 1 to Round 2 and repeated the improved score in Round 3. FALL 2011: Participated in The Connecticut Cup, earning a tie for 45th place and shooting a low round of 71. HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year varsity letter winner and three-year captain at Suffield High School under Coach Kyle McCullough. ... Named All-State as a junior and senior. ... Helped Suffield become runner-up in state tournament as a junior, when he was ranked second in the North Central Connecticut Conference. ... Led the NCCC in lowest stroke differential as a senior and also teamed with Andy Mai to win the Chappa Invitational. ... Scholar-athlete all four years. PERSONAL: Michael V. Masso. ... Born May 1, 1992. ... Son of Peter and Karen Masso. ... Has a brother, P.J., and sister, Jessica. ‌ Home courses are Lake of Isles in North Stonington, Conn., and The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICU T MEET THE HUSKIES
CHRIS WIATR
Sophomore Woodbury, Conn. Canterbury School Highfield Club / Country Club of Waterbury
AT CONNECTICUT: Has played in 10 events as a Husky, averaging 77.14 per round in 28 career rounds. Has recorded one Top 5 and four Top 25 finishes. SPRING 2012: Played in five tournaments, averaging 78.0 per round for 14 rounds, including a UConn career-low 71 in the Big East Championships. Best finish was fourth after an impressive 77-73-74-224 at the Rutherford Intercollegiate Tournament. FALL 2011: Played in five tournaments, averaging 76.29 per round for 14 rounds, including a then-UConn career low of 72. Best finish was 12th at The Classic at Shelter Harbor (Westerly, R.I.) and also recorded solid finishes at the Hartford Hawks Invitational, where he tied for 19th, and The Connecticut Cup, where he tied for 22nd. HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time MVP and received the Coach’s Award while playing at Canterbury School in New Milford under Coach Bob Potter. … Twice named to All-New England Team and two-time New England Individual Champion. … Captured medalist honors 16 times … Semifinalist at 2010 International Junior Masters. … Youngest player (15) to ever qualify for the Connecticut State Open. ... Also played four years of varsity soccer (team captain as a senior), earning Western New England All-Star honors, and three years of varsity squash. PERSONAL: Christopher M. Wiatr. ... Born April 4, 1993. ... Son of Francis and Mary Wiatr. ... Has three older brothers, Mark, Brian and Matt, and a twin sister, Maggie. … Home courses are Highfield Club in Middlebury, Conn., and The Country Club of Waterbury in Waterbury, Conn. 2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEET THE HUSKIES
DAN MYERS
Sophomore Ridgefield, Conn. Ridgefield High School Ridgefield Golf Club
AT CONNECTICUT: Has played in three events at UConn, averaging 79.2 per round in nine career rounds, with a low round of 74 (three times). SPRING 2012: Participated in one tournament, The Farms Invitational, earning a tie for 50th, with a low round of 74. FALL 2011: Participated in the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate and The Connecticut Cup for the Huskies, earning a tie for 64th and a tie for 56th, respectively. HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner and served as team captain as a senior at Ridgefield High School under Coach Mike Merati. … Helped Ridgefield win the 2011 Connecticut Division I state championship. … Named to the Connecticut Division I All-State First Team and All-Fairfield County First Team. … Named twotime MVP and received the Coach’s Award while playing at Canterbury School in New Milford under Coach Bob Potter. … Twice named to AllNew England Team and two-time New England Individual Champion. … Captured medalist honors 16 times … Semifinalist at 2010 International Junior Masters. … Youngest player (15) to ever qualify for the Connecticut State Open. ... Also played four years of varsity soccer (team captain as a senior), earning Western New England All-Star honors, and three years of varsity squash. PERSONAL: Daniel K. Myers. ... Born October 19, 1992. ... Son of Daniel and Catherine Myers. ... Has a younger brother, Christopher, and younger sister, Allyson. … Home course is Ridgefield Golf Club in Ridgefield, Conn.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICU T MEET THE HUSKIES
DANE ROSA Sophomore Mansfield, Conn. E.O. Smith High School University Club of Connecticut
AT CONNECTICUT: Has played in two events at UConn, The Adams Cup of Newport and The Connecticut Cup, averaging 79.83 per round for six rounds. SPRING 2012: Did not play in any tournaments. FALL 2011: Played in the Adams Cup of Newport, finishing in a tie for 79th and shooting a low round of 75, and The Connecticut Cup, finishing in a tie for 79th and shooting a low round of 78. HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year varsity golf performer at E.O. Smith High School, serving as captain for three years, under Coach Marty Bissonette. … Team MVP two consecutive years after setting the school record for most rounds as a medalist (13 of 15 matches his senior year). … Earned All-State honors after a second-place finish at the state high school tournament and advancing to the New England tourney. … All-Around athlete who earned the student-athlete award three times between golf, swimming and diving (2 years), indoor track & field (1 year), and four years of varsity soccer, scoring the secondmost goals/assists on the team and helping E.O. Smith earn recognition as one of the top five high school soccer teams in the country. PERSONAL: Dane Coleman Rosa. ... Born Jan. 7, 1993. ... Son of Mike and Susan Rosa. ... Has two older sisters, Hailey and Lauren. … Home course is the University Club of Connecticut in Windham, Conn.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEET THE HUSKIES
COREY BIRCH
Freshman Ridgefield, Conn. Ridgefield High School Silver Spring Country Club
HIGH SCHOOL: Comes to UConn after lettering in golf four years and serving as team captain at Ridgefield High School under Coach Mike Merati. High school teammate of UConn sophomore Dan Myers. … Two-time All-State and two-time AllConference player. … As a senior, won Ridgefield’s Scholar-Athlete Award, Most Outstanding Player Golf Award, Captain’s Award, placed second in FCIAC conference tournament, placed fourth in state tournament. … As a junior, won Ridgefield’s Outstanding Achievement Golf Award, placed third at state tournament to help Ridgefield win Division I State Championship. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Two-time (2010, 2011) Silver Spring Country Club Men’s Champion. PERSONAL: Corey John Birch. ... Born October 31, 1993. ... Son of John and Lynn Birch. ... Has two sisters, Kelly and Kaitlyn. … Home course is Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, Conn.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICU T MEET THE HUSKIES
JOHN FLAHERTY Freshman Glastonbury, Conn. Glastonbury High School TPC at River Highlands
HIGH SCHOOL: Comes to UConn after lettering in golf four years and serving as team captain for one year at Glastonbury High School under Coach Tom Zelek. … Four-time All-Conference selection, three-time All-State selection, three years named to All-Academic Team. … As a senior, Connecticut Division I high school champion, 2012 Wildcat Invitational individual champion, 2012 Hartwell Award winner, lowest OCR in Division I. … As a junior, led team to a win at the 2011 Wildcat Invitational with an individual runner-up finish. … No. 1 player in CCC North, 2010-12. … Also played four years of basketball and two years of soccer. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: In Junior Golf: 2009 Connecticut PGA runner-up … 2010 Connecticut PGA Player of the Year … 2011 Connecticut Junior Amateur Champion, represented Team Connecticut at New England Juniors, represented Team New England at the Doral Publix, 11th at AJGA Northern Virginia Juniors … Quarterfinalist in 2012 Connecticut Amateur Championship, losing to current UConn teammate Mike Masso. PERSONAL: John J. Flaherty. ... Born September 10, 1993. ... Son of James and Felicia Flaherty. ... Has one sister, Amanda. … Home course is The TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEET THE HUSKIES
CAMERON MacKAY Freshman Brookfield, Conn. The Gunnery Redding Country Club
HIGH SCHOOL: Comes to UConn after lettering in golf four years and serving as team captain as a senior at The Gunnery (Washington, Conn.) under Coach Russ Elgin. … Two-time team MVP and helped lead the team to its first-ever New England prep school championship. … Also was a four-year letter winner in varsity crew at The Gunnery and twice rowed in the Head of Charles Regatta. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Quarterfinalist in the Conn. Junior Amateur Championship. … Member of Team Connecticut for New England Junior Championship. … Qualified for both the Connecticut Amateur and Connecticut Open. … Finished fourth in the Computer Merchant Cup. … Did not finish outside the Top 10 in any metropolitan junior events. PERSONAL: Cameron P. MacKay. ... Born March 3, 1994. ... Son of Paul and Pat MacKay. ... Has an older brother, Sean, older sister, Lauren, and a twin sister, Darby. … Home course is Redding Country Club in Redding, Conn.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICU T MEET THE HUSKIES
STEPHEN PASTORE Freshman Greenwich, Conn. Greenwich High School Griffith E. Harris Golf Course
HIGH SCHOOL: Comes to UConn after lettering in golf four years and serving as team captain as a senior at Greenwich High School under Coach Jeff Santilli. … Helped Greenwich win one state championship and two conference (FCIAC) titles. … As a senior, partnered with Greenwich teammate Danny Guise to win 2012 Chappa Invitational, a two-man best ball including teams throughout the state. … As a junior, won Division I individual state championship and was named team MVP. … Rookie of the Year as a freshman. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Won Greenwich Men’s Townwide Tournament last summer. … Earned three top 10 and one top 15 finishes in American Junior Golf Association tourneys. … Played in five Met Junior Championships, reaching the quarterfinals twice and the round of 16 once. … Qualified for the Carter Cup three times. PERSONAL: Stephen Robert Pastore ... Born May 13, 1994. ... Son of Robert and Laura Pastore. … Has older brother, David, and younger brother, Paul. … Home course is the Griffith E. Harris Golf Course in Greenwich, Conn.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEET THE HUSKIES
ZACH ZABACK Freshman Farmington, Conn. Farmington High School TPC at River Highlands
HIGH SCHOOL: Comes to UConn after lettering in golf four years and serving as team captain as a senior at Farmington High School under Coach Ted Orzech (3 years) and Coach Fran Amara (1 year). … Three-time All-State and AllConference selection. … As a senior, won Central Connecticut Conference tournament and placed third in the New England High School Championship. … As a junior, placed second in state tournament, one stroke behind current UConn teammate Stephen Pastore, and helped Farmington win the conference tournament. … As a sophomore, placed second in the state tournament. … Also played varsity soccer for two years, helping team win the state championship in his junior year and serving as team captain as a senior. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Won 2012 U.S. Challenge Cup Junior Match play Championship … Placed third at 2010 AJGA Killington Junior Golf Championship. PERSONAL: Zachary Francis Zaback. ... Born January 3, 1994. ... Son of Andrew and Doreen Zaback. ... Has one brother, John. … Home course is The TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY CONNECTICU T OF CONNECTICUT GOLF The 2011-12 season marked year five of a new era for the University of Connecticut Golf program under Coach Dave Pezzino. Pezzino brought over a decade of coaching and teaching excellence to the program and the results of that expertise showed immediately in the fall of 2007, with three team top five finishes, including a second place finish at the New England Championship. The Fall of 2009 saw the Huskies capture the New England Championship, the first title under Pezzino. Jeb Buchanan also became the first individual medalist under Coach Pezzino when he won the Adams Cup of Newport by shooting three successive scores of 69. He was also named the Golfweek Magazine National Player of the Week. UConn finished sixth in the team competition against a standout field at the Adams Cup, despite having only four players for the final two rounds due to injury.
The UConn Golf team was honored at halftime of a men’s basketball game for capturing the 2009 New England title and for Jeb Buchanan’s Adams Cup title.
In the Fall of 2011, Pezzino guided the Huskies to a first-place finish in the 17-team Hartford Hawks Invitational, as Buchanan again captured individual medalist honors, winning a four-man playoff. UConn followed that with a third-place finish at The Connecticut Cup, and a second place in The Classic at Shelter Harbor. The Spring of 2012 schedule began with two wins in three matches in BIG EAST Match Play, featured competitive play throughout, and finished with a sixth place in the BIG EAST Championship. The Pezzino era has at UConn has been marked by an ambitious national schedule, giving the Huskies the opportunity to play on some of the best courses in the country and against the top collegiate competition in Division I. Pezzino took over the reins of the the Husky golf program from Ron Dubois, who had been the coach since August of 2002. The former U.S. Army colonel continued the excellence that has marked Connecticut golf for more than a half a century. The Huskies captured team titles in three of his five seasons, including the 2004 fall New England Championship. Under the tutelage of Dubois, Jason Parajeckas left his mark as one of the top golfers in Husky history. His career scoring average of 74.1 is a full stroke lower than any Husky golfer in the last 12 years. He was the No. 1-ranked golfer in the New England region and among the top 80 golfers nationally. For his career, Jason was a five-time individual champion, including medalist honors at the 2005 Fall New England Championship. He appeared in 38 career events and recorded top ten finishes in 18 of those 38 events. He was a three-time New England Intercollegiate Golf Association First Team selection, a two-time New England Division I First Team honoree and is also a two-time honoree by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Many of the great accomplishments of the program, including New England and BIG EAST Championships, came under the tutelage of Joe Giannelli, who earned several Coach of the Year honors in his 20 years as head coach from 1981-2000. After retiring in the summer of 2000, Giannelli remained with the team as Coach Emeritus until his death
on December 9, 2002, after a valiant fight against cancer. Giannelli was a great loss to the university, the sport of golf and the program’s continuous commitGREG YEOMANS ment to excellence in all endeavors. A World War II veteran, Giannelli also served as a football and lacrosse coach at UConn and was the President of the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association. The UConn Athletic Development Office maintains a Joe Giannelli Golf Fund in his memory to help sustain the legacy of golfing excellence that he established at the University. UConn men’s golf has developed into one of the top programs in New England since its beginning as a varsity sport in 1941. For the first four decades, Connecticut participated as a member of the Yankee Conference, winning 12 championships. The Huskies then joined the powerful BIG EAST Conference as a charter member in 1979. In the 1999-2000 academic year, the BIG EAST Championship, traditionally held in the fall, moved to the spring season. The Huskies’ proud tradition of golf success has been highlighted by both team and individual honors. The 1992-93, 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 UConn squads competed in the NCAA East Regional Championships. The 1980 UConn golf team won the New England title and participated in the NCAA Championship tournament while the 1982, 1993, 1994 and 1997 squads won New England Intercollegiate Golf Championships. Individual Husky stars who have qualified for the NCAA Championship event include: Mike Caprio (1984), Tim Heaney (1987), and Rich Pepin (1992). Caprio also received Academic All-American honors in his senior year while Greg Metro (1998) joined him as an Academic All-American. In the past two decades, Connecticut has been among the top schools in regional and conference play. The Huskies captured the 1994 BIG EAST title, paced by captain Greg Yeomans, an All-New England selection in 1994. In 1998-99, the Huskies were ranked second in the region throughout the year after capturing two team titles and four runner-up titles over the course of both seasons. In the spring of 1993, UConn captured the New England title. In the fall of 1993, the Huskies were crowned the ECAC Champions. UConn followed this title with its firstever BIG EAST Conference Golf Championship in September of 1994 and UConn also shared the 1994 New England Championship. JASON PARAJECKAS
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY CONNECTICUT OF CONNECTICUT GOLF 2011 Fall Golf Results
UConn Golf Top Finishes Through the Years 2011-12 1st Place, Hartford Hawks Invitational (fall) 2nd Place, The Classic at Sheltor Harbor (fall) 3rd Place, The Connecticut Cup (fall)
1997-98 3rd Place, New England Championship (spring) 23rd Place, NCAA Div. I East Regional (spring) 3rd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)
2010-11 2nd Place, New England Championship (fall) 3rd Place, The Connecticut Cup (fall) 3rd Place, Hartford Hawks Invitational (fall)
1996-97 1st Place, New England Championship (spring) 1st Place, Rhode Island Invitational (spring) 23rd place, NCAA Div. I East Regional (spring)
2009-10 1st Place, New England Championship (fall) 3rd Place, The Match Play (fall)
1995-96 3rd Place, New England Championship (fall) 1st Place, Dartmouth Invitational (fall) 1st Place, ECAC Southern NE Qualifier (fall) 2nd place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)
2007-08 2nd Place, New England Championship (fall) 2005-06 2nd Place, Quinnipiac Bobcat Invitiational (fall) 3rd Place, ECAC Division I Championship (fall) 3rd Place, New England Championship (fall) 1st Place, Hawks Invitational (fall) 2004-05 2nd Place, Yale Spring Open (spring) 2nd Place, New England Championship (spring) 1st Place, New England Championship (fall) 1st Place, Quinnipiac Bobcat Invit. (fall) 2003-04 2nd Place, New England Championship (spring) 3rd Place, New England Championship (fall) 2002-03 1st Place, Yale Invitational (spring) 2001-02 2nd Place, Yale Invitational (fall) 2nd Place, URI Invitational (spring) 2000-01 2nd Place, URI Invitational (spring) 3rd Place, NEIGA (fall) 3rd Place, Robert Morris Tournament (fall) 1999-2000 1st Place, vs. Quinnipiac (fall) 3rd Place, BIG FIVE Invitational (spring) 1998-99 1st Place, Army Invitational (fall) 1st Place, Hartford, Quinnipiac Tri-Meet (fall) 2nd Place, New England Championship (spring) 2nd Place, Yale Invitational (spring) 2nd Place, URI Invitational (spring) 2nd Place, BIG FIVE Invitational (spring) 21st Place, NCAA Div. I East Regional (spring)
1994-95 3rd Place, New England Championship (spring) 1st Place, URI Invitational (spring) 1st Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall) 1st Place, UConn Golf Invitational (fall) 1st Place, ECAC Southern NE Qualifier (fall) 1st place (tie), New England Championship(fall) 1993-94 1st Place, URI Invitational (spring) 3rd Place, New England Championship (spring) 1st Place, ECAC Championship (fall) 2nd Place, UConn Golf Invitational (fall) 1992-93 22nd Place, NCAA East Regional (spring) 1st Place, New England Championship (spring) 1st Place, URI Invitational (spring) 1st Place, Big Four Invitational (spring) 1st Place, UConn Golf Invitational (fall) 2nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall) 1991-92 2nd Place, New England Championship (fall)
9/4-5
Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate 8th Place Kaluhyat Golf Course, Verona, N.Y.
9/19-20
Adams Cup of Newport 9th Place Newport National GC, Newport, R.I.
9/26-27
Hartford Hawks Invitational Bulls Bridge GC, South Kent, Conn.
10/10-11 The Connecticut Cup 3rd Place Ellington Ridge CC, Ellington, Conn. 10/15-16 The Classic at Shelter Harbor Shelter Harbor GC, Westerly, R.I.
1983-84 3rd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall) 1982-83 2nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall) 1st Place, New England Championship (fall) 1981-82 3rd Place, New England Playoffs (spring) 2nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)
2nd Place
10/31-11/1 Wendy’s Kiawah Classic T-15th Place Turtle Point GC, Kiawah Island, S.C.
2012 Spring Golf Results 2/13-14
BIG EAST The Match Play Reunion Resort, Orlando, Fla.
3/12-13
The Farms Invitational 11th Place The Farms Golf Club, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
3/23-25
FAU Spring Break Championship T-11th Place The Fountains Country Club, Lake Worth, Fla.
4/7-8
Rutherford Intercollegiate 7th Place Penn St. Golf Courses, State College, Pa.
4/14-15 4/29-5/1
Wolfpack Spring Open 14th Place Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Raleigh, N.C.
2-1
BIG EAST Men’s Golf Championship 6th Place Reunion-Watson Course, Reunion, Fla.
2012 Fall Golf Schedule
1988-89 3rd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall) 1984-85 2nd Place, BIG EAST Championship (fall)
1st Place
9/16-18
Adams Cup of Newport Newport Country Club, Newport, R.I.
9/23-25
Hartford Hawks Invitational Bulls Bridge Golf Club, South Kent, Conn.
10/7-9
The Connecticut Cup Ellington Ridge Country Club, Ellington, Conn.
10/12-14 Big 5 Tournament Philmont Country Club, Philadelphia, Pa. 10/27-30 Kiawah Island Intercollegiate Tournament Turtle Point Golf Course, Kiawah Island, S.C. 2012-13 UCONN GOLF
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICU T UCONN GOLF-- A TRADITION OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETES The University of Connecticut is committed to each golfer, and all of its student-athletes, and their holistic development during their undergraduate career. Participation in athletics is important, but it represents only one aspect of the players’ college experience. At the University of Connecticut, academic achievement is the primary concern. Impressively, for the past six years, the Connecticut student-athlete retention rate has been 99.0 percent. The University’s commitment to the student-athlete is a dual one. Participation in athletics is not viewed as an obstacle to the attainment of one’s educational goals, rather it is seen as a complementary activity. Each supports the other. Athletic excellence is stressed, but academic achievement is never Becky Taylor compromised - indeed, it is given the utmost priority. CPIA Counselor The University realizes that the golf team and all student-athletes, due to their academic involvement, are required to commit a large percentage of their personal time to University-sponsored athletic activities. For this reason, the University recognizes the need for a support program for its intercollegiate athletes. The Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes (CPIA) constantly assists all student-athletes in achieving their academic goals. The CPIA staff serves as a liaison to the academic faculty, the Division of Athletics, and the student-athlete. In serving as a liaison between the Connecticut student-athletes and University faculty and staff, the CPIA counselors also provide assistance in securing appropriate support services available with the University. These include orientation for studentathletes, supervised study halls, individual tutors and tutorial centers (an English/Writing Center, Math Center and Reading Center), and learning skills seminars. With the advent of ever changing technology, all of the CPIA computer labs were updated with new equipment in the summer of 2008 and allow students to access the world wide web as well as the Homer Babbidge library database that connects them to literally millions of the most recent scholarly research journals available.
CONNECTICUT GOLF BIG EAST Academic All-Star Selections 2011-12 Jeb Buchanan Michael Masso Daniel Myers Adam Vaccari
A.J. Siekierski Daniel White Ryan Dandeneau L.J. Tosches
2010-11 Jeb Buchanan Matthew Carroll Christopher DeLucia Adam Vaccari
2005-06 Jonathan Klein A.J. Siekierski Tim Strout L.J. Tosches Daniel White
2009-10 Jeb Buchanan Christopher DeLucia Matthew Dubrowski
2004-05 Daniel White Michael Murphy
2008-09 Jeb Buchanan Christopher DeLucia L.J. Tosches Jeremy Troy 2007-08 Christopher DeLucia A.J. Siekierski Bret Siekierski Brian Travalja L.J. Tosches 2006-07 Bret Siekierski
2012-13 UCONN GOLF
2003-04 Jonathan Klein Michael Murphy Daniel White 2002-03 Jordan Burke Nathan Thomsen Anthony Hrenko
1999-2000 James Poist 1998-1999 Michael Eshoo Seth Hoenig 1997-1998 Josh Bittner Seth Hoenig Gregory Metro Peter Sagnella 1996-1997 Seth Goodall Greg Metro Peter Sagnella 1995-1996 David Hufner Christopher McKnett Gregory Metro Peter Sagnella 1992-1993 Ross Bielak 1987-1988 Peter Vescovi 1985-1986 Mark Capece
THE DAVID MARKS AND DR. ANN SAGALYN-MARKS UNIVERSITY OFGOLF CONNECTICUT PRACTICE AND TEACHING CENTER Long time donor David Marks and his wife Ann Sagalyn-Marks have established themselves as leaders in the support of the UConn’s men’s golf program. They are both avid golfers and their affection for the sport dates back many years. Their generosity has assisted the golf program in enhancing opportunities provided to its student-athletes. The Marks family has actively supported UConn Athletics for more than 25 years. In addition to the ongoing support for golf, the family has also shown its commitment to education through contributions to The Marks Family Scholarship Fund, which benefits student-athletes in the women’s basketball program. As annual season ticket holders for men’s and women’s basketball, David and Ann are frequently seen at games cheering on the Huskies. David received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969 and his Master of Business Administration in 1971 from the University of Connecticut. His outstanding career has featured a number of prestigious positions within the investment industry. David was named to the UConn School of Business Hall of Fame in 1994. This naming opportunity is a fitting reflection of David’s and Ann’s continuing commitment to the student-athletes who represent the University of Connecticut, UConn golfers have total access to their redesigned indoor facilities on the Storrs campus. The David Marks and Dr. Ann Sagalyn-Marks Golf Practice and Teaching Center in Gampel Pavilion features a 30-foot pitching area, a putting surface with multiple hole locations which facilitates various putting drills, a swing development booth with video swing analysis, individual lockers for each member of the team and a lounge and study area for the team with a 50” plasma television. The Full Swing Golf Simulator in the facility is the leading golf simulator on the market. Full Swing’s dual infrared ball tracking sytem has revolutionized the way golf simulators are measured. With a variety of simulated fairway, rough and sand lies at numerous golf courses around the world, the combination of ball speed, launch angle and real-time continuous visual ball flight makes the Full Swing experience a vital practice tool.
2012-13 UCONN GOLF