Update from Head Men's Golf Coach Mike Binney
Dear Bison Faithful,
Two weeks have passed since the men’s squad returned from winter break, and we are itching to get out the door for our first tournament in Phoenix, Ariz.
One of the hardest parts of the year is the timeframe from when students return to campus and when we can play some golf on green grass without getting frostbite! The Bachman Center is the key to this preparation, and with the addition of our new Trackman simulator, we are that much more prepared for the spring season. Many years ago, before I came to Bucknell, coach Jim Cotner saw this need and began the journey, culminating in the opening of the Bachman Center in 2011. For that, the teams and players (and myself) are indebted to him, the Bachman family, and all the supporters that made this oasis of golf possible.
We didn’t officially start practice until Jan. 24 due to an extended fall schedule, but from the very first day back on campus, the teams have been grinding away and getting ready for the 2023 championship season.
That being said, our first tournament is on Feb. 26-28, hosted by Loyola University and contested at Palm Valley in Goodyear, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix. It is called the Loyola Intercollegiate, and we have played in the event three out of the last four years (one year lost to COVID), and it is one of the highlights of the spring season. Everyone in our program looks forward to the event, especially me since it almost guarantees warmer weather, a firm golf course, and a competitive field. We are again counting the days until we can get out of dodge and head to Southwest USA!
I wanted to mention a couple of save-the-dates for everyone to put on their calendars:
In the short term, Bucknell Athletics will hold its annual One Herd One Day 24-hour giving challenge from on March 28-29. Please mark this significant 24-hour event on your calendar as it is our largest fundraising effort for the team and the department annually.
Secondly, and in concert with the OHOD event, our primary focus for this year’s fundraising will be our team trip to Ireland in the summer of 2024. We had initially planned to go in the summer of 2020, but COVID changed the plans of virtually everyone on the planet, and our trip was no exception. Now that we can travel unrestricted, we will be headed to Ireland in the final weeks of July 2024 to play some of the purest links courses the Emerald Isle has to offer. We will be concentrated in the northwest part of Ireland (not Northern Ireland). We will be playing three courses at Rosapenna, as well as Carne, Enniscrone, Rosses Point, and Narin & Portnoo. If you have a chance, click on Google Earth and take a look; you will be amazed!
For everyone’s viewing pleasure, I’ve included a link to the travel itinerary with all the information on the upcoming trip.
I trust that everyone had a wonderful Christmas, Holiday Season, and New Year, and I wish everyone the best in 2023!
-- Coach
Mike Binney
Head Men's Golf Coach
Bucknell University
mwb013@bucknell.edu
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.
Two weeks have passed since the men’s squad returned from winter break, and we are itching to get out the door for our first tournament in Phoenix, Ariz.
One of the hardest parts of the year is the timeframe from when students return to campus and when we can play some golf on green grass without getting frostbite! The Bachman Center is the key to this preparation, and with the addition of our new Trackman simulator, we are that much more prepared for the spring season. Many years ago, before I came to Bucknell, coach Jim Cotner saw this need and began the journey, culminating in the opening of the Bachman Center in 2011. For that, the teams and players (and myself) are indebted to him, the Bachman family, and all the supporters that made this oasis of golf possible.
We didn’t officially start practice until Jan. 24 due to an extended fall schedule, but from the very first day back on campus, the teams have been grinding away and getting ready for the 2023 championship season.
That being said, our first tournament is on Feb. 26-28, hosted by Loyola University and contested at Palm Valley in Goodyear, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix. It is called the Loyola Intercollegiate, and we have played in the event three out of the last four years (one year lost to COVID), and it is one of the highlights of the spring season. Everyone in our program looks forward to the event, especially me since it almost guarantees warmer weather, a firm golf course, and a competitive field. We are again counting the days until we can get out of dodge and head to Southwest USA!
I wanted to mention a couple of save-the-dates for everyone to put on their calendars:
In the short term, Bucknell Athletics will hold its annual One Herd One Day 24-hour giving challenge from on March 28-29. Please mark this significant 24-hour event on your calendar as it is our largest fundraising effort for the team and the department annually.
Secondly, and in concert with the OHOD event, our primary focus for this year’s fundraising will be our team trip to Ireland in the summer of 2024. We had initially planned to go in the summer of 2020, but COVID changed the plans of virtually everyone on the planet, and our trip was no exception. Now that we can travel unrestricted, we will be headed to Ireland in the final weeks of July 2024 to play some of the purest links courses the Emerald Isle has to offer. We will be concentrated in the northwest part of Ireland (not Northern Ireland). We will be playing three courses at Rosapenna, as well as Carne, Enniscrone, Rosses Point, and Narin & Portnoo. If you have a chance, click on Google Earth and take a look; you will be amazed!
For everyone’s viewing pleasure, I’ve included a link to the travel itinerary with all the information on the upcoming trip.
I trust that everyone had a wonderful Christmas, Holiday Season, and New Year, and I wish everyone the best in 2023!
-- Coach
Mike Binney
Head Men's Golf Coach
Bucknell University
mwb013@bucknell.edu
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.