As the century comes to an end, the GW golf office in conjunction with
Brad Bower, Director of Sports Information and Ed McKee, Director of
Sports Media and Alumni Relations, have selected All-Decade Teams.
These squads recognize just a few of the terrific players that have
represented the Colonials since the first intercollegiate dual match, at
the University of Virginia on April 3, 1927. The All-Decade teams were
selected, using a point system ranking all players that played in a
given decade. Players that overlapped two decades were counted in the
decade that they played the majority of their collegiate golf. For
example current players that enrolled in the fall of 1998 will have to
wait until the next All-Decade Team is announced. A committee of
alumni, with representatives from the all decades from the 1950s to the
present, reviewed and approved the selection criteria that follow.
5 points awarded for leading the team in scoring average for a given
year
5 points awarded for an individual tournament victory with more than
five participating schools
4 points for a second place finish, 3 for third, 2 for fourth and 1 for
fifth
Players in each decade were ranked according to scoring average, rounds
started, times that they were team medalist and most match play wins
(used for the 40s, 50s and 60s). The player in first place for the
decade in each category received 10 points, and the 10th ranked player
give 1 point. These points were then added up and the seven players
with the most points were recognized as the All-Decade Team.
Pre-1940s
Charles Coe 1927-1931
John Shorey 1928-1931
Al Birmingham 1939 & 1943
Carl Bertsch 1938-1941
1940s
George Vaas 1941-1946
Bill Brownrigg 1943 & 1946
C. Bill Griffen 1943-1949
Art Myers 1946
Dave Wortman 1946-1947
Tad Lindner 1948-1952
1950s
Jay Randolph 1953,1957-1958
Jim Clark 1955
Larry Spellman 1955-1957
Marv Singman 1955-1957
Warren Krick 1956-1959
Joe Haney 1957-1960
Ed Bowers 1958-1961
1960s
Bob Haney 1961-1964
Bob Murphy 1962-1964
Chuck Collett 1964-1966
Bob Bowers 1965-1967
Louis Rubino 1965-1967
Bill Klossner 1968-1971
Geoff Clasper 1968-1971
1970s
Gene Mattare 1970-1973
Pat Price 1970-1972
Andy Tollin 1970-1972
Collin Clasper 1972-1975
Pat Tallent 1972, 1975-1976
Kurtis Marx 1976-1979
Terry Shaffer 1976-1979
1980s
Greg Framke 1980-1982
Sven Engler 1980-1984
Vern Caswell 1981-1983
Ken Dickler 1982-1986
Jamie Winslow 1983-1987
Dan Deftos 1986-1990
Antti Vaalas 1988-1990
1990s
Ken Tyrrell 1990-1993
Scott Allen 1990-1994
Scott Lutz 1992-1996
Rob Duva 1993-1997
Mark Gandee 1995-1997
Luis Barrutieta 1996-1998
Ryan Day 1997-2001
PRE 1940s
Al Birmingham (1939 & 1943)
Birmingham played for GW for two seasons and amassed a 5-2-1 match play
record. His 77 at the Western Maryland Invitational led GW to a 5th
place finish. He fired a career low 75 on May 12, 1943 to lead the
Colonials to a tie with Georgetown, ending a three-match losing streak.
Carl Bertsch (1938-1941)
Bertsch kicked off his career at GW with rounds of 79-79 at the Western
Maryland Invitational on May 10, 1938. His 158 tied teammate Bill Hurd
for 3rd place overall and led the Colonials to their first tournament
victory, defeating five other schools. He would add a 5th place finish
at the same event in 1941. Carl seemed to like the course at Western
Maryland because he posted his career low, a 68, at Western Maryland on
4/26/39, which would stand as the school record for nine years. Bertsch
had a 14-5-1 match play record in four years on the squad. His 14 match
play wins are the third most in school history. Bertsch is still in the
Top 20 in scoring average and Top 50 in starts, 58 years after his
career ended.
Charles Coe (1927-1931)
Coe played in the Colonials first 11 matches ever, tallying a 7-3-1
match play record. His 79 in a loss to Penn on April 20, 1927 is the
first recorded score in the history of the program.
John Shorey (1928-1931)
Shorey was the 1927 Washington Metropolitan Amateur Champ and picked up
a 5-1 match play record over a two-season career. His 73 against
William & Mary, on April 30, 1928, would replace Coe's 79 as the school
record and led GW to its first win ever. Shorey added a 77 later that
year in a loss to Penn State.
Honorable Mention:
Bus Fleming (1938-1941)
Was 4-2-1 in match play and finished 5th at 1941 Western Maryland
Invitational
Lefty Franklin (1939)
Had a 4-2 match play record. Shot 68 on 4/26/39 at Western Maryland
Back to top
1940s ALL-DECADE TEAM
C. Bill Griffen (1943-1949)
Griffen played in the 1943 team before the program was halted during
World War II. He returned in 1947 and qualified as an individual for
the NCAA Championship at the University of Michigan. Griffen shot 156
(75-81) to finish 29th and advance to match play where he lost to Fred
Wampler of Purdue University. Wampler won the 1950 NCAA title.
Griffen's 20-8-4 match play record gives him the second most wins in
school history. His 72 on April 28, 1947 led the Colonials in a home
dual match loss to a Wake Forest team lead by Arnold Palmer. He was
team medalist 15 times, placing him 11th on the all-time list. His
75.04 scoring average is 3rd all-time. The low score in school history
became Griffen's on 4/23/48 when he posted a 67 in a dual match loss to
Maryland. Palmer again had Griffen's number as Griffen finished 11th
with rounds of 76-77=153 in GW's first ever Southern Conference
Tournament appearance. Duke took team title and Palmer was individual
medalist, eight shots ahead of Griffen.
Bill Brownrigg (1943 & 1946)
Brownrigg's career was interrupted by the war but that takes little
from his achievements. Brownrigg led the Colonials to their only team
appearance in the NCAA finals. The team would finish 15th of the 23
teams that qualified for the finals, just six strokes behind a three-way
tie for 12th with the Universities of Georgia, Texas and Washington.
Brownrigg posted a four round total of 305 (76-79-73-77) to place 8th
individually. He amassed an 11-4 match play record (good for ninth
all-time in match play wins) and his 75.35 career scoring average is 4th
all-time. He fired his career low on 5/27/46 with a 68 in a 6-0 win
over Loyola.
George Vaas (1941-1946)
Vaas came to GW from DC's Western High School and played on the
freshman squad in 1941. In 1942, he led the team in scoring average
with a 75.80 total. His 73 on 5/3/42 led the Colonials to a tie with
Virginia Tech. Vaas skipped the 1943 season and returned after the war
in 1946 to play in the number two spot on GW's NCAA tournament team
where he shot 157 and just missed advancing to the individual finals at
the NCAA Championship at Princeton. He still ranks in the Top 20 in
match play wins.
Art Myers (1946)
Although Myers only played one season for the Colonials, he accumulated
enough points to qualify for the All-Decade Team. Myers was 6-1 in
match play and led the team five times, including a 72 on 5/22/46 at
Virginia to avenge the squad's only defeat in an 8-1-1 season. Myers
also posted a 70 at Western Maryland on May 10. Unfortunately for
Myers, he was not able to enjoy the fruits of his labor as he as unable
to accompany the team on their trip to the 1946 NCAA Tournament held at
Princeton. He was replaced by John MacMurray who shot 175.
Dave Wortman (1946-1947)
Another member of that 1946 NCAA team to make the All-Decade team was
Dave Wortman. Wortman was 10-4 in match play over his two years, his 10
wins placing him 13th all-time. He fired a 73 in a win over Johns
Hopkins on May 1, 1946. He finished with the second best scoring
average of 1947, just percentage points behind Griffen and was medalist
five times, including a 75 in a win over Loyola on 4/21/47.
Tad Lindner (1948-1952)
Lindner makes the All-Decade team due in large part to his durability.
Lindner was a regular starter on five teams (in the days before NCAA
regulations would have prohibited playing more than four years).
Lindner was third in the era in starts. However, Lindner put up some
good numbers as well. He was the Colonials second best finisher in the
1948 Southern Conference Championship and his 75 on 4/26/50 lead GW to a
win at Western Maryland. Lindner is one of two Colonials golfers in the
GW Athletic Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 1973.
Honorable Mention:
Bob Groetzinger (1940 & 1943)
Was 7-1 in match play and fired a 75 in GW's first ever tie with
Georgetown
Doug Jackson (1947-48)
Jackson shot 69 in loss to Georgetown 4/27/48. Was 7-4 in match play.
Wallace Smith (1948-1951)
Wally was 5-5-2 as a three years starter.
Paul Temple (1947)
Was medalist three times, including twice against the Hoyas posting 76
and 77.
Jay Wolfe (1947)
Wolfe was 4-2-1 in 1947 and also qualified for NCAA as an individual.
Back to top
1950s ALL-DECADE TEAM
Jay Randolph (1953 & 1957-1958)
There are few who will contest the statement that Randolph is GW's
greatest ever golfer. Randolph still holds school records for lowest
round (a 66 in the final round of the 1957 Southern Conference
Tournament), lowest scoring average (72.86 over 22 recorded rounds), and
match play wins (amassing a 21-5-1 record). Randolph's second round for
the Colonials was a 69 in a win over Bucknell on 4/10/53. He would add
a 72 in a 5-4 win at the University of Virginia on 4/30 of that same
year. Randolph, the son of Jennings Randolph, the longtime Congressman
from West Virginia, took a few years off from collegiate golf. While
away he compiled an impressive amateur record winning the DC
Metropolitan Amateur and the Egyptian Open among other events. Randolph
returned to Foggy Bottom with a vengeance in 1957. Randolph opened the
season with a 70 at Prince George's CC (now Woodmore). His 70 inspired
the Colonials to victory as they beat the University of Maryland, but it
wasn't enough to win Jay his match as Dean Beaman fired a 64 for the
Terps in a much-anticipated match of the DC Amateur Champ versus the
Maryland Amateur Champ. Randolph shot 68 in two separate wins over
William & Mary and a 72 in GW's first win over Georgetown. However, he
saved his best performance of the year for last. The Colonials entered
the second round of the 1957 Southern Conference Championship trailing
Furman by several shots. Randolph fired a 66 as the Colonials came from
behind to win their first Conference Championship. Randolph is one of
only two Colonial golfers to be inducted into the GW Athletic Hall of
Fame, entering in 1978. Randolph also finished 10th in voting for the
Southern Conference's 75th anniversary team in 1995, behind the likes of
Arnold Palmer, Jim Feree, Jim Hulbert and Brad Faxon. This is even more
impressive considering GW left the Southern Conference 25 years before
the vote was taken and had no representatives on the selection
committee. Randolph currently is the play-by-play broadcaster for
baseball's Florida Marlins and has been in sports broadcasting for many
years, working for NBC and ESPN covering golf, college basketball, and a
variety of Olympic sports.
Warren Krick (1956-1959)
One of two Colonials to play on three Conference Championship teams,
Krick placed 2nd in 1957 (with 148), 8th in 1958 (152) and 3rd in 1959
with 155. Krick was medalist with a 70 in GW's first win over
Georgetown on 4/2/57. He also fired a 69 on 5/1/59 in a win at William
& Mary. His 75.67 scoring average ranks him 5th all-time. He compiled
an 11-7 match play record and ranks ninth all-time in match play wins.
Joe Haney (1957-1960)
Haney is the other Colonial to play on three Conference Championship
teams. He was 8-0 as a freshman at match play and graduated with a
14-9-1 mark. His 14 wins have him tied for third all-time. He shot 143
to place 3rd at the 1958 Greenbriar Invitational and posted his
career-low of 71 in a loss to Georgetown on 4/8/59. His brother Bob is
on the All-Decade Team for the 1960s. His 77.19 scoring average places
him 11th all-time.
Ed Bowers (1958-1961)
Bowers played on two Conference Championship teams in the late 50s and
was GW's low finisher in the 1960 Southern Conference Championship. He
posted rounds of 70-71 at the Greenbriar Invitational to place 4th in
1959. Bowers posted a 74 in a 26-1 thrashing of Columbia on 3/26/59 and
was GW's low finisher, posting 76-78 in a 5th place team effort at the
1960 Greenbriar Invitational. Ed's brother Bob is a member of the
All-Decade Team for the 1960s.
Jim Clark (1955)
Although he played only one season for the Colonials, Jim Clark made it
count, leading the 1955 squad in scoring average with a 74.25 average.
He shot 150 to finish 3rd at the Southern Conference Championship that
year and was team medalist three other times, including a 72 in a loss
to Georgetown on May 11, and a 71 in a win over VMI on April 13.
Larry Spellman (1955-1957)
Spellman came to GW from DC's St. John's High School and compiled an
11-7-1 match play record. His 11 wins rank him ninth on the all-time
list. He was medalist twice in his first year with the varsity, posting
a 73 in a loss to West Virginia and a 74 in a win over Maryland.
Spellman also made some noise in 1955 with a hole-in-one on the 16th the
Golden Horseshoe Resort in Williamsburg, VA. (It was the only recorded
hole-in-one in school history until October 4, 1999 when Darren Ressler
equaled his feat in the St. Bonaventure Invitational.) He still ranks
in the Top 25 in scoring average and the Top 40 in starts.
Marv Singman (1958-1961)
Singman was also on two conference championship teams, shooting 80-78
in GW's 1958 title. He amassed a 14-8 match play record and his 14 wins
rank him third all-time in that category. Singman shot a 75 in a win
vs. Dartmouth 3/28/60 and fired his career low of 73 in a loss to
William & Mary on 4/11/61. 40 years after his graduation, Singman is
still in the Top 40 all-time in starts.
Honorable Mention:
Vic Bartlett (1956-1958)
Played on two conferences championship teams (1957-58) shooting 156 and
159. Ranks in the Top 10 all-time in match play wins.
John Dunn (1959-1960)
Fourth (157) at 1959 Southern Conference Tournament. Shot 70 on
3/26/59.
Had a 76.70 scoring average.
Wayne Rinick (1953-1956)
Fourth at 1956 Southern Conference Tournament with 151. Tied for 17th
all-time in match play wins.
Irving Salamy (1955-1957)
A three-year starter, he shot 73 against Dartmouth on 4/4/55. Tied for
14th all-time in match play wins.
Back to top
1960s ALL-DECADE TEAM
Bob Bowers (1965-1967)
Compiled 13-1-1 match play record. The sixth most wins in school
history Bowers finished second in the Southern Conference Tournament in
1967 with a 157 total. He was team medalist 14 times, good for 13th on
the all-time list. Shot 70 in a win over Pittsburgh on 4/21/66 and 71
four days later in a win over Georgetown. Bowers became a certified
Georgetown killer when he was medalist a year later with a 71 on 4/10/67
in another win over the cross-town rivals. His 75.77 scoring average is
6th all time. After graduation became the first head professional at
Springfield Country Club, where the Bobby Bowers Memorial Junior Golf
tournament is one of the east coast's largest and most prestigious
events. His brother, Ed, is a member of the 1950s All-Decade Team.
Bob Haney (1961-1964)
Was 1961 Southern Conference champion with rounds of 73-76. Haney
added an 8th place finish in 1964 and another Top 10 finish in 1963.
His scoring average of 75.79 ranks him 7th all-time. He fired a career
low of 69 in a loss to William & Mary on 4/11/61. He led GW with a 74
in a win over Dartmouth on 3/26/64. His brother, Joe, is a member of
the 1950's All-Decade Team.
Chuck Collett (1964-1966)
Was highly recruited out of high school and chose GW over Duke. He was
the 1964 Southern Conference champion with rounds of 76-75, leading the
Colonials to a 3rd place finish. He added a 5th place finish the
following year with 78-76. Collett was team medalist 11 times in his
three years, including a 70 in a win over William and Mary on 4/29/64, a
72 in a win over American on 4/6/65 and a 71 on 4/29/66 in a win over
Richmond. He is currently eighth all-time in scoring average.
Bob Murphy (1962-1964)
Murphy was the runner-up at the 1963 Southern Conference Championship
with rounds of 72-79, he added a 6th place finish the following year.
The Colonials finished 3rd both years. He posted a 72 in a win over
William and Mary on 4/29/64 and a 74 in another victory over Villanova
on 4/17/64. His career scoring average of 76.10 places him in the top
15 all-time.
Bill Klossner (1968-1971)
Klossner was team medalist ten times in his career. He played in the
last three Southern Conference Championships in which GW participated.
He fired a 70 in a win over the University of Baltimore on 4/2/69 and a
72 in a win over William and Mary the same year. His 156 helped GW to a
second place finish at the University of Maryland Invitational in 1970.
He would finish 13th the following year at the same event with a 151
total. Klossner completed his career with a 78.50 scoring average
(currently 20th all-time) and, at the time, was fourth in career starts
with 29. He is still in the Top 40.
Geoff Clasper (1968-1971)
Clasper was GW's low finisher in its final Southern Conference
Championship appearance, posting rounds of 79-77. He fired a 71 on
4/15/69 in a win over William and Mary. His 73 was medallist in a 4-3
win over Georgetown on 4/6/70. He broke 80 in all three rounds
(78=79=74) in the Colonials win at the first DC III Championship versus
Georgetown and American. His 78.40 scoring average is in the Top 20
all-time. Geoff's brother, Collin, is a member of the 1970s All-Decade
Team.
Lou Rubino (1965-1967)
Amassed a 12-2 match play record and ranks eighth all-time. Had a
78.07 career scoring average is also in the Top 20. He shot a 74 in the
spring break match with Furman, Davidson and The Citadel on 3/14/66. He
posted his career low, 73, in a win versus American 4/17/67. Rubino
averaged 76.00 over 9 rounds in 1967, his senior year.
Honorable Mention:
Bob Carter (1968-1969)
Finished 5th and led GW to a 2nd place finish at the University of
Maryland Invitational (3/28-29/68). He ranks in the Top 25 all-time in
scoring average.
Jim Galvin (1966-1968)
Compiled a 13-2-1 match play record, was GW's low finisher at the 1968
Southern Conference Championship. Shot 73 in win over Baltimore on
4/14/67.
Kent Keith (1968-1971)
Was medalist with 77 in loss to the University of Virginia on 4/2/68.
His 156 led GW at the 1970 University of Maryland Invitational.
Dick Ham (1964-66)
Was medalist with a 76 in GW's win over East Carolina 5/10/65. Played
in the 1964-65 Southern Conference Championships.
Seth Rosen (1961-1963)
Had a 9-7-1 match play record, often playing in the #1 position.
Posted a 74 to lead GW in a loss to Dartmouth on 3/27/61.
Steve Rubin (1961-1963)
Had a 9-5-1 match play record. Had a 75 to lead the Colonials in a 6-3
win over Georgetown on 4/17/61.
Back to top
1970s ALL-DECADE TEAM
Pat Price (1970-1972)
Price was the first DC III champion, winning the inaugural event on
4/29-30/71 with 75-78-71. His final round 71 at Westwood CC led the
Colonials from 18 shots back to a one shot win over American (Georgetown
was 47 shots back in 3rd). He shot 74 in 4-3 win over Georgetown on
4/6/70. Price was medalist with a 75 in a tri-match sweep of Richmond
and Baltimore on 5/5/71. Price concluded his career with a 78.14
scoring average, placing him 16th on the all-time list, and he was
medalist 9 times in his career, placing him in the Top 30 all-time.
Kurtis Marx (1976-1979)
Marx was the 1978 DC III champion with a 236 total even though his team
finished in 3rd and 86 shots behind the winner, American University. He
was GW low finisher at the first Eastern 8 Conference Championship (the
league would change its name to the Atlantic 10 a few years later.) His
79 lead the team in a loss to Virginia Commonwealth on 3/31/78. Marx
was medalist nine times (placing him in the Top 30 all-time) and had the
most starts of any player in the decade.
Andy Tollin (1970-1972)
Tollin, from Wilmington, DE, led the team in a tri-meet win over West
Virginia and Catholic on 4/16/71. Posted back-to-back 75's in tri-meets
on 4/14/72 (versus West Virginia, Slippery Rock and Salem College) and
4/17/72 vs. (JMU, Richmond and Frostburg St.). He is ranked in the top
40 all-time in scoring average.
Terry Shaffer (1976-1979)
Shaffer was the Colonials low finisher in the 1979 DC III Championship,
finishing 5th with an 83-76=159 total and the 1979 Naval Academy
Invitational (won by Fred Funk). Shot a 78 on 9/20/77 in a loss to
Georgetown and George Mason. Was medalist with 80 in a loss to
Washington & Lee on 3/30/80. Shaffer is currently the Head Golf Coach
at Mount St. Mary's University and a PGA Class-A Head Professional at
the I-70 driving range near Frederick, Maryland.
Collin Clasper (1972-1975)
Clasper came to GW from western Pennsylvania and was runner-up at the
1974 DC III Championship. He led the Colonials at the University of
Maryland Invitational that same year. He was medalist with at 73 in a
tri-meet against JMU, Richmond, and Frostburg St. on 4/14/72. Clasper
is still at the Foggy Bottom campus. Serving as The George Washington
University's Comptroller. His brother, Geoff, is a member of the 1960's
All-Decade Team.
Pat Tallent (1972 & 1975-1976)
Tallent, a native Langley, KY, is better known for his basketball
skills as a Colonial. Tallent led the basketball team in scoring three
times and is third on the all-time scoring list for Colonials men's
basketball, behind only Joe Holup and Mike Brown. On the golf course,
Tallent finished 2nd at the 1975 DC III Championship with a 245 total.
He also posted a 77 on 4/14/72 in a tri-meet with West Virginia, Salem
College and Slippery Rock. Tallent is presently one of the top amateur
golfers in the country. He is the club champion at Caves Valley CC near
Baltimore and has been club champion at Congressional CC. Tallent also
has played in several U.S. Amateur Tournaments, including the 2000
Amateur. He was inducted into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame (for his
basketball achievements) in 1997.
Gene Mattare (1970-1973)
Mattare was a regular starter all four years at GW. He finished 3rd at
the 1973 DC III Championship with a 247 total. Shot 71, his career low,
on 4/22/70 to lead the Colonials to a win over American and La Salle.
Mattare coached the Colonials from 1974-1978 and led them to a second
place finish at the 1975 DC III Championship. He is presently the
Director of Golf at Sauccon Valley CC, in Bethlehem, PA, site of the
2000 U.S. Senior Open.
Honorable Mention:
Armando Herrera (1976-1977)
Herrera was runner-up at the 1977 DC III Championship with 3 straight
79s.
Andy Goldman (1969 & 1972)
Goldman was the 1972 DC III champion with a 159 total. Was medalist
with a 75 in a win over American on 4/21/69. He matched that number on
4/14/72 and 4/17/72. Andy's nephew, Michael (Class of '01), is a
current member of the golf team at GW.
Back to top
1980s ALL-DECADE TEAM
Ken Dickler (1982-1986)
Dickler was the 1986 DC III champion with a 228, leading the Colonials
to the team title. Shot a 71 in the final round of the 1983 DC III
Championship where he was low finisher for the Colonials. Finished 5th
in the 1985 Penn St.-Rutherford Intercollegiate with a 223 total,
highlighted by a 71 in the first round. Finished 5th at the 1986
Georgetown Hoya Invitational, leading the Colonials to their first
tournament win in 27 years. Shot 76-77 to finish in the Top 10 overall
and lead the Colonials at the 1984 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.
His four Top 5 finishes place him 5th all-time. Dickler was team
medallist 25 times, placing him 2nd all time. Dickler graduated with 66
career starts, placing first at the time, he is currently 5th.
Sven Engler (1980-1984)
Engler finished 2nd at the 1981 Atlantic 10 Championship with a pair of
75s. He finished 4th at the 1981 DC III Championship. He led GW at the
1982 Atlantic 10 Championship (156) and the 1982 Virginia Tech
Invitational (151). He finished 2nd at the 1983 DC Area Invitational
with a 78 and led the Colonials at the 1983 Naval Academy Invitational
(161), the 1983 Atlantic 10 Championship (156) and his 231 total led the
Colonials at the 1982 Yale Invitational. He was medalist 16 times,
placing him ninth all-time and his 44 career starts place him in the Top
25.
Dan Deftos (1986-1990)
Deftos was medalist 23 times in his career, placing him 4th all ?time.
He finished 7th at the 1987 Atlantic 10 Championship with a 156 total
and he finished 8th at the 1986 Rutgers Invitational with a 232 total
(including a 72 in the first round), leading GW to a 3rd place finish in
the 14-team field. Deftos lead the team in scoring average during his
freshman and sophomore years. During the 1988-89 season Deftos led the
Colonials at the Yale Intercollegiate (241), the Atlantic 10
Championship (160), the JMU Classic (160), the Naval Academy
Invitational (163) and three dual matches. He was also GW's low
finisher at the Penn St.-Rutherford Intercollegiate in 1987 with an
82-75=157 total. Deftos ranks 13th all-time in starts with 53. His
streak of 53 straight times with his score counting towards the team
total is the second longest in school history.
Antti Vaalas (1988-1990)
Although he played only three semesters at GW, Antti Vaalas, of
Helsinki, Finland, made the most of his opportunities. Vaalas was
medalist for the Colonials 16 times, ranking him ninth all-time. He
fired a 79 to lead GW to a win over American in his first match on
3/28/89, he added a 75 in a quad meet the following month, vs. Longwood
College, Liberty University and Newport News Apprentice. He also led
the Colonials at the Penn St.-Rutherford Intercollegiate with a 237 that
year. The following year he would lead GW at Yale and at Penn St.
Vaalas's 75-79 total placed him the Top 10 at the 1990 Atlantic 10
Championship on a team that finished last.
Jamie Winslow (1983-1987)
Winslow was the 1985 DC III champion and ranks tenth all-time in starts
with 57. His DC III individual title (behind a 76-79-76 effort) led the
Colonials to their first DC III title since the inaugural event in
1971. The Colonials (1203) dominated Georgetown (1241) and American
(1248), in the three-round, count-five players event. Winslow was
medalist 13 times (tied for 15th on the all-time list) including the
1986 Naval Academy Spring Invitational. His career low of 72 came at
the 1985 Penn St.-Rutherford Intercollegiate when he posted a 230 total.
Vern Caswell (1981-1983)
Caswell led the Colonials in scoring average in the 1982-83 season. He
fired a 76 to lead GW to a dual match win over Georgetown on 9/23/82.
He was medalist 10 times in his two-year career, which ties him for 23rd
all-time. He was low finisher for the Colonials at the 1983 DC III
Championship (245), Virginia Tech Invitational (157) and the Penn
St.-Rutherford Intercollegiate (158) and he shot 156 to lead GW at the
1982 JMU Classic. He also served as golf coach the Colonials from 1984
to 1987 and coached the Colonials to their first tournament win in 27
years at the 1986 Georgetown Hoya Invitational.
Greg Framke (1980-1982)
He finished 6th at the 1981 Atlantic 10 Championship with rounds of
79-76. Tied with John Bailey as Colonials low finisher at the 1980
Atlantic 10 Championship. Framke led the Colonials at the 1981 Navy
Invitational. He was medalist in a dual-match win over Catholic on
March 26, 1980. He led the team in scoring average in 1980-81.
Honorable Mention:
Mike Albert (1982-1987)
His 54 starts rank him 11th all-time. Albert shot 236 in the 1985 DC
III Championship to help give GW their first victory in the event since
1971. He was GW's medalist 10 times (tying him for 23rd on the all-time
list) and at three straight tournaments in the 1985, Yale (with 237),
JMU (158) and the A-10s where his 153 total placed him 3rd overall and
led GW to their highest finish ever (2nd) in the event.
John Bailey (1980-1983)
Tied with Greg Framke as GW's low finisher in the 1980 Atlantic 10
Championship. Shot 157 at the 1982 Virginia Tech Invitational.
Ed Cook (1985-1987)
Rounds of 85-76 made him low finisher for the Colonials at the 1985
UNC-Wilmington Invitational. Shot career low round of 75 twice at the
1986 Rutgers Invitational.
Chris Flynn (1983-1987)
A former Massachusetts state junior champion, he shot 71 in final round
of the 1984 DC III Championship. Ranks in the Top 15 all-time in
starts.
Frank Futcher (1987-1991)
Called "Futch" by his teammates. He was medalist 9 times and led GW in
scoring average in 1990-91 and was named team MVP. He fired a 79 in a
dual match loss at Maryland in 1989.
Frank Westfall (1982-1986)
Westfall ranks 5th all-time in career start for GW with 63. He
finished 7th with two 79s to help the Colonials to a win at the 1986
Georgetown Hoya Invitational.
Back to top
1990s ALL-DECADE TEAM
Rob Duva (1993-1997)
Duva holds GW record for starts (with 98), team medalist (33 times) and
Top 5 finishes (with 9). As the Washington Metropolitan Golf
Association junior Player-of-the-Year, his signing in 1994 marked the
return of GW golf as a regional force. His 77.84 scoring average in
1995-1996 was the lowest single season scoring average since 1971. He
fired a 72 at the JMU Invitational at the Homestead Resort. That round
featured two eagles in the first three holes. He placed 4th at the 1995
ECAC Championship at Yahandasis CC with rounds of 77-75 in cold
temperatures, heavy sleet and intermittent hail. In light snow, Duva
placed 4th at the 1996 Robert Morris-Kangaroo Caf Classic with 73-77.
That same year he finished 2nd at the Rutgers Invitational with rounds
of 73-74, leading his team to its first 36-hole tournament title in 10
years. Duva finished 9th at the ECAC Championship at Kings Creek CC in
Rehoboth Beach, DE in 1996 with a 153 total. He posted a career low in
1996 when he shot 69 at the Bryce Resort during the first round of the
James Madison Invitational, helping the team to its lowest team score
ever (292). He shot 74 the following day, for a 143 total and a fifth
place finish overall.
Scott Allen (1990-1994)
Allen graduated as the all-time leader in starts and currently ranks
4th. He was team medalist 24 times, good for 3rd all-time. He led his
team in scoring average during his last two years (averaging 79.68 his
final season) and was second his first two. He shot 83-76 to finish 11th
at the 1992 Atlantic 10 Championship. He fired a career low 72 to tie
for 3rd at the 1992 Western Maryland Invitational, the first of his six
Top 5 finishes, placing him third on the all-time list. He also
finished 2nd at the 1992 Wesley College Invitational with a 75
(including six birdies) and 2nd at the 1993 Pinehurst Sandhills
Intercollegiate with a pair of 79s. Allen would add another 2nd at the
same event the following year. He had two Top 5 finishes at the Mt. St.
Mary's Invitational, a 4th in 1992 and a 2nd in 1993, shooting 78 both
times. Allen is the only Colonial with at least 60 rounds to have his
score count in every match. Allen was 67 for 67 in his career, Dan
Deftos is the next closest, he was 53 for 53 in the late 1980's. Allen
has remained at GW and is now the Head Golf Coach (as well as Recruiting
Coordinator and NCAA Compliance Assistant). He succeeded from Keith
Betts as coach on January 1, 1995.
Luis Barrutieta (1996-1998)
Barrutieta came to GW from San Sebastian, Spain after two years at
Saddleback Community College in California and made an immediate
impact. Barrutieta averaged 77.29 in his junior year and had four Top
10 finishes in his first five events. Barrutieta shot 75 to tie
teammate Dan Pereyo for 3rd at the Wesley College Invitational, then put
up rounds of 77-70 to finish 7th at the Naval Academy Fall
Invitational. He added a 5th place finish at the ECAC Championship
(hosted by GW at Kings Creek CC in Rehoboth Beach, DE) with rounds of
76-75. Barrutieta would also have a hand in GW lowest round ever, a 292
at the JMU Invitational. He posted a two under par 70 to go with Rob
Duva's 69. A second round 77 gave him a 147 total. He would add an
even par 72 two days later at the Old Dominion/SeaScape Invitational,
giving him four rounds of par or better that semester. He added two
more top 10's and a top 20 at the prestigious Penn St.-Rutherford
Intercollegiate (with rounds of 78-77-72) to cap off one of the best
single seasons in school history. Barrutieta was medallist 13 times
that year and added 8 more his senior year, giving him 21 for his career
and placing him 6th all-time. Barrutieta's senior year never got going
the way his junior year did, but he still fired three rounds at par or
better and was medallist with a 72 at the team's spring break dual match
with MIT in Bermuda. Barrutieta graduated with a degree in Applied Math
and is 19th all-time in starts (47) and 20th in scoring average
(78.47). He now lives in Madrid, Spain.
Scott Lutz (1992-1996)
From Malvern, PA, Lutz was another golfer that made an immediate impact
on GW. He posted three top five finishes in his first four events. He
fired a career low 72 to tie him for 3rd (with Allen) at the 1992
Western Maryland Invitational, a 77 placing him 4th at the 1992 Franklin
& Marshall Invitational and most importantly a 76 placed him 4th at the
ECAC Southern Region Championship. That finish made him the first
Colonial to qualify for the ECAC Championships. He also finished 4th at
the 1993 Mt. St. Mary's Invitational with a 79 and was runner-up (to
teammate Stuart Taylor) at the 1994 Franklin & Marshall Invitational
with a 75. He added a top 10 in the last semester of his senior year
with a 73-80 performance at the Robert Morris-Kangaroo Classic, in
extreme cold and light snow. He was named to the 1996 Atlantic 10
Academic All-Conference Team. He was also honored as the J. Dallas
Shirley Senior Male Athlete of the Year that same year. Lutz currently
ranks second all time in starts with 76 and he was medallist 13 times,
placing him 16th on the all-time list. His five Top 5 finishes place
him fourth all-time.
Ken Tyrrell (1990-1993)
Tyrrell, from Poghkipsee, NY, is ranked 14th all-time in starts for the
Colonials with 52. He was team medalist 12 times, ranking him 17th on
the all-time list. Tyrrell was team MVP in 1992 and was included on the
Atlantic 10 Academic-All Conference Team. He fired a 79 to led the
Colonials at the 1991 ECAC Southern Region Championship. In 1991-1992
he lead the team in scoring average and tied Scott Allen for the team
lead by taking medallist honors 7 times. In 1992 he posted a 77 at the
Western Maryland Invitational and a career low 74 in the first round of
the Old Dominion/SeaScape Intercollegiate. He fired a 77 in the first
round of the 1994 ODU/SeaScape Intercollegiate in what would be his
final collegiate tournament. Tyrrell is still a familiar face in Foggy
Bottom. He is president of the Young Alumni Association and a Founding
Member of the George Washington University Club.
Ryan Day (1997-2001)
Day, from Ellsworth, Maine, has one more semester to improve on his
standing in the career leaders. He is currently 3rd in starts and
seventh in Top 5 finishes. He has also been medallist 15 times, placing
him 10th all-time. Day won the 2000 Rehoboth Beach Invitational with a
146 total and led the Colonials to their first win over Maryland since
1957. He finished tied for 4th (with teammate Bryan Derdenger) at the
1998 St. Bonaventure-Leo Kennan Invitational, shooting 78-70. He took
7th place at the 2000 Navy Invitational with rounds of 71-73. Day
posted a 2nd place finish shooting 71 at the 1999 Western Maryland
Invitational, one stroke behind teammate Brad Friedlander's 70. His
79.90 scoring average ranks him 30th on the all-time list.
Mark Gandee (1995-1997)
Finished 7th at the, sleet-shortened, 1997 URI-Newport Invitational
with a 75. Gandee led the team with a 155 total at the 1995 St. John's
Invitational at Bethpage State Park's famous Black course (site of the
2002 U.S. Open). He led the team two weeks later with a 157 at the Old
Dominion-SeaScape Intercollegiate. Gandee finished 21st and led the
Colonials at the GMU Patriot Invitational in March of 1996. He fired
his career low, 74, in the 1997 Navy Invitational. Was team medallist
10 times, tying him for 23rd all-time and his 54 starts rank him 11th
all-time.
Current Players
Based on the criteria approved by the committee, these current players
will be eligible for the next decade's All-Decade Team. Bryan Derdenger
and Thomas Blankvoort would have earned enough points to be included in
the 1990's All-Decade Team and, along with Tim Derdenger, all three
could wind up on the 2000 All Decade Team. One current senior, Darren
Ressler, with one semester to play could actually move up into the
All-Decade team for the 90s.
Thomas Blankvoort (1998-Present)
Thomas, the 1997 Dutch National Schoolboy Champion, from The Hague,
Netherlands, transferred to GW from the University of Florida. He was
team MVP in the 2000. Although he has three more semesters to play,
Thomas ranks sixth all-time in top five finishes and has been medallist
21 times, ranking him 5th. His scoring average of 77.91 is in the Top
15 all-time. His 64 starts rank him seventh all-time, with three
semesters to play. Blankvoort fired rounds of 78-78 at Caves Valley CC
to take 8th in the 1998 Caves Valley Intercollegiate. He eagled his
final hole at the 1999William & Mary-Kiskiack Invitational to finish 9th
with rounds of 73-74. A week earlier he finished 10th at the inaugural
GW Invitational at Swan Point with a 156 total in heavy rain. He
finished off the 1999 spring with a top 20 finish at the Atlantic 10
Championship shooting 75-76-80. In the fall of 1999, he shot six rounds
of 73 or better, highlighted by a 5th place finish at Caves Valley
(81-73) and a top 15 finish at the St. Bonaventure-Leo Kennan
Invitational with 73-81, helping the Colonials to the team title. He
added another top 20 at the Atlantic 10 Championship with another 231
total and finished 5th with a 152 total at the Scotty Duncan-Eastern
Championships. Blankvoort added three Top 10s in the fall of 2000,
finishing 4th, with a 149 total, at the Rehoboth Beach Invitational (won
by Ryan Day), 6th, with a 149, at the Lehigh-Stabler Intercollegiate
(won by Bryan Derdenger) and 8th at the St. Bonaventure Invitational
with 71-75. He was named to the 2000 Atlantic 10 Conference
All-Academic Team.
Bryan Derdenger (1998-Present)
Bryan and his brother Tim arrived at GW from Scottsdale, Arizona in the
fall of 1998 and they have both been regulars in the starting lineup
ever since. With three semester left to play, Bryan Derdenger is second
in school history with seven Top 5 finishes and his 18 medallist honors
place him 7th all-time. He is also tied for sixth in starts with 66.
The first of Bryan's top 5's came at the 1998 St. Bonaventure-Leo Kennan
Invitational where he opened with a 70 and followed it up with a 78 to
tie for 3rd (with Ryan Day). A week later he shot another 148 and again
tied for 3rd at the Lehihg-Stabler Intercollegiate. In the spring he
added a 4th at the inaugural GW Invitational with a 153 total and a 73
at NCR Country Club gave him 3rd at the Dayton Flyer Invitational.
His sophomore year he improved his finish one spot and took 2nd at St.
Bonaventure with a 149 total, leading GW to the team title. He added
another second at the Caves Valley Intercollegiate with a 74-77 total.
Bryan was named to the 2000 Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team.
In October 2000 he won the Lehigh-Stabler Intercollegiate with rounds of
69-76. His 77.71 career scoring average places him in the Top 15
all-time.
Tim Derdenger (1998-Present)
Injuries and illness cost Tim Derdenger much of the fall season during
his sophomore and junior years, but like his twin brother, he is also
moving up the career ranking lists at GW. Tim won his first ever event
at GW, posting a 74 at the 1998 Wesley College Invitational. He fired a
225 total (72-78-75) at the 1999 Bell Atlantic-Atlantic 10 Championships
to place 7th and miss a spot on the All-Conference team by one place.
He concluded his season by shooting 76-75 to finish second at the Scotty
Duncan Memorial-Eastern championship. In his sophomore year, Tim shot
75-81 to finish 8th at the 1999 Caves Valley Intercollegiate and 72-77
to place 11th at the William & Mary-Kingsmill Invitational. He is tied
for 11th all-time in career Top 5 finishes and his career scoring
average of 78.87 ranks him 24th all-time.
Darren Ressler (1997-Present)
Know as "fins" to his teammates, the Woodbrige, CT native is also
gaining on several school marks. His 67 career starts have him tied for
4th all time with his coach, Scott Allen. With one semester to go, 2nd
place (Scott Lutz with 76) is well within his reach. He currently ranks
15th with 12 medallist honors to his credit. He shot a 74 in the first
round of the 1997 JMU Invitational and shot 153 totals at the St.
John's/McLaughlin Invitational and Old Dominion/SeaScape
Intercollegiate. He added a 152 at the William & Mary Kiskiack
Invitational. He shot a 74 to take medallist honors at the Spring Break
dual match win versus Fordham. Ressler recorded the second hole-in-one
in GW history on the 11th hole at Bartlett CC, in Olean, NY. His ace
helped Ressler shoot 74 on the day, part of a first round 299 that gave
the Colonials a six shot lead they would not relinquish as they held on
to win the St. Bonaventure-Leo Kennan Invitational. Ressler also has
two straight 11th place finishes at the Bell-Atlantic Atlantic 10
Championship. He fired 72-76-81 in 1999 helping the Colonials to a 3rd
place finish and he shot 73 (with a 32 on the back nine) ?74-79 in the
2000 Championship. Ressler was the 1998 team MVP.
Honorable Mention:
Tae-Sik Hong (1993-1995)
Named All Conference in 1995, after finishing in 5th with a 156 total.
Was medallist 14 times, tying him for 12th all-time. Shot career low 72
at the 1994 Navy Invitational.
Casey Paulson (1993-1994)
Won the 1993 Franklin & Marshall Invitational with a73. Finished 6th
at 1993 ECAC Southern Region Championship. Currently Director of Golf
at Rancho San Marcos Golf Club in Santa Barbara, CA.
Jeremy Rohen (1993-1997)
Ranks 13th all-time in rounds played. Finished 5th and tied career low
with 75 at 1996 Western Maryland Invitational. Shot 155 at 1996 JMU
Classic, 1st round 75 was part of GW's lowest round ever (292).
Stuart Taylor (1994)
Played only one semester, had two first and two seconds in six starts
before turning pro. Shot 70-74 to win 1994 Navy Invitational and 69 to
win the 1994 Franklin & Marshall Invitational.
Michael Goldman (1997-2000)
Led the team in scoring average in 1997-98. Finished 13th at the 1997
JMU Invitational with rounds of 77-72. Was GW's low finisher at Caves
Valley with 83-73, taking 9th place overall. He was team medallist five
times that season. Goldman is 17th all-time in rounds played and in the
Top 50 in scoring average.
Gavin Parsons (1997-2000)
Gavin is ranked 18th all-time in starts and 25th in scoring average.
He was medalist 11 times, placing him 20th on the all-time list. He won
the 1997 Gettysburg Invitational with a one under-par 70. Led GW with a
151 at the 1998 Xavier-Kroger Classic and a 149 at the Old
Dominion-SeaScape Classic. Shot 73-74 to finish 21st at the 1999 Navy
Fall Invitational.