2023 Golf Season Preview
The Providence Christian golf team continues to make waves in their ascension to relevance in the NAIA and the California Pacific Conference. With the programs five years of experience, there has been a consistent progression and 2023 should be no different.
The Sea Beggars return arguably the most talented core group in the history of the program and on the men's side have added contributing junior transfer Sean Vann (JR/Okemos, MI ) to that group as well. The 2023 team will be led by seniors Nicholas Chavez, Marc Lengtat (SR/Corning, CA), Tyler Stauffer (SR/Flowery Branch, GA) on the men's team, and Kiara Paul (SR/Westminster, CA ) and Kaitlyn Robinson (SR/Siloam Springs, AR) on the women's team. Chavez was the program's first signed student-athlete and looks to finish his career with a bang. He has steadily developed his game each year and has been a constant force and steady leader in the Providence lineup. The 2023 season should be a banner year for Chavez as he plays with undeniable passion and focus after the recent loss of his biggest cheerleader and fan, his mom. When asked about the upcoming season, Chavez said, "The team is looking very strong. We had a good fall season, and we are carrying that momentum over to the spring season. He added, "The biggest change from when I started at Providence is that we were once a team who did not have many guys and we struggled in our conference. Now we are a full team who has a good shot of winning; this is the best team we have ever had. Last year's team was not as good, yet we came close to the top of our conference. Sean Vann is someone to watch this season. He is new to the school and team this year, but he fits in well and has already shown us that he is an excellent player."
The Sea Beggars men's team made school history in 2022 when they finished 2nd in the Cal Pac conference championships behind a fifth-place finish by Lengtat. Stauffer played a significant role in the conference championships as he played round one, and then was on Lengtat's bag the following two rounds, as he helped him remain focused on the goal ahead. Each team member contributed to the 2nd place finish, persevering through difficult playing conditions, and remaining focused throughout the three rounds.
With the addition of Vann to the men's team, great competition has emerged for the starting five spots for each invitational. The men have shown new head coach, Rob Gurule, that they have the grit to compete heartedly, but with a team first outlook. Junior Hayden Hughes (JR/Bakersfield, CA) and sophomore Trey Kirschner (SO/Arvada, CO) return as consistent scorers for the Sea Beggars, and both have emerged with a fire driving them to hopefully keep those spots. Sophomore Malik Edd (SO/Oklahoma City, OK), senior Stauffer, and sophomore Liam Argue (SO/Escondido, CA ) round out the Sea Beggar lineup, with each possessing the ability to crack the top five at any moment. Edd and Stauffer have very high ceilings and are working to consistently reduce their scores in order to help the team week in and week out.
The ladies return lone seniors Kiara Paul and Kaitlyn Robinson to the women's Sea Beggar roster. Both ladies have spent their entire collegiate careers competing for Providence and look to continue their improvements in the 2023 season. Paul spent the fall returning to her roots, joining the Sea Beggar women's soccer team, and found pride contributing to PCC in a new way. She carries herself with incredible joy and is the glue a team and great program needs in order to remain united. Robinson spent the fall fine tuning her golf game and has positioned herself to make great strides in her final season for the Sea Beggars. Robinson has the physical abilities to compete with the best in each invitational when her focus remains fixed on each shot. It will be fun watching these two women wrap up their collegiate careers and leave a legacy for the Sea Beggar program.
When asked about the team and the upcoming season, Coach Gurule said, "I like what I have seen thus far. My main priority has been to create a team that plays relaxed yet is focused on overcoming the challenges each individual faces throughout the course of a three-day match. Setting a tone, by creating a winning attitude is paramount; so, we must focus on course management and realizing things (bad shots) in the past must not constrain us. Everyone fails, but how one deals with failures sets them apart, especially in competitive sports. Champions mitigate these moments more efficiently and focus forward. For this team to be successful every member must focus not only on their individual performance but also on how their decisions affect the team's outcome. I believe they are up for this challenge." Coach Gurle added, "We as a group of golfers have a clear path for success, set out by Tiger Woods:
1. No 6's on par 5's
2. No double bogeys
3. No three putts
4. No bogeys with 9 irons
5. No blown easy saves
However and more importantly, we as Christian athletes and members of this team, also have a clear path; let your actions and performance glorify God, that way you are assured a successful 19th hole regardless of your scorecard. 'He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.' Micah 6:8"
Chavez said about fan involvement, "While we do not have many local events, fans can support us at our events at Olivas Links in Ventura and at Moorpark Country Cub in a few weeks. They can also pray for us that we can use the skills God has given us to not only win, but to Glorify him when we compete." If you have the opportunity to come and watch a match in person, you won't be disappointed. The men and women play with passion and unity for a team purpose. Similar to the body of Christ, a golf team uses their individual and personal gifts to work in unity for a common purpose, which is a beautiful thing when done in concert for an audience of one. For those that are unable to attend in person, most matches are updated live on www.golfstat.com under the invitational name. The men's team opens the spring season Monday February 20th at the Las Vegas Shootout, and the women join them the following week at the Westmont College Shootout starting on February 27th. Be sure to find a way to cheer on and support our incredible golfers this 2023 season as they look to reach new historical heights.
L-R Seniors Kiara Paul, Tyler Stauffer, Nicholas Chavez, Marc Lengtat, and Kaitlyn Robinson