MAY 14 — Schenk Just Misses Cut For Nationals
Sophomore leads golf squad in spring of 2003

Sophomore Aaron Schenk

Goshen, IN — Posting just a five-man squad for the 2003 season, the Goshen golf team accomplished a variety of feats during the year, none greater than sophomore Aaron Schenk’s performance.

Schenk garnered All-Mid-Central Collegiate Conference honors for the first time in his short career with the 10th-lowest scoring average during MCC play (78.5). Schenk improved greatly from that however in post-conference play, where he averaged a 72.7 round en route to making the NAIA’s All-Region VIII squad. Schenk finished tied for second overall in regional play, and was just six strokes away from going to the national competition.

“Aaron’s performance was certainly the biggest highlight to our season,” said Brent Kaufman, Goshen head coach. “As a sophomore, he proved to be one of the best players in our conference and in our region. He came very close to advancing to the national tournament.”

Schenk would have been the first Goshen player to qualify to nationals since Shane Gascho accomplished the feat in 1993. He finished second out of 65 competitors in the regional field, and finished his complete season with an overall scoring average of 76.

Junior Andrew Kauffman finished as the Leafs’ second lowest scorer, averaging an 84.5 during conference play and a 79.5 during regional action (82.8 overall). Kauffman was followed by sophomore Tom Stahly (86.8, conference; 82.5, regional; 85.3 overall) who missed a large part of the season while studying overseas.

“Andrew and Tom also had nice seasons for us,” Kauffman said. “Andrew continued to improve and is now positioned to have an even better position next year. Tom has a lot of talent. He does not improve quite as much as he could because he plays soccer in the fall. His SST trip this spring made it tough for him, as he really didn’t get any chance to get ready for this season.”

Goshen’s team was rounded out by freshman Andrew Schenk (90.0, conference; 89.5, regional; 89.8 overall) and junior Jeff Welty (91.5, conference; 93 regional; 92 overall).