Season Preview: Men's Golf looks to compete for OAC title in 2016-17

By Caleb Scott

ADA — The Ohio Northern men's golf team will look to compete or an Ohio Athletic Conference title in 2016-17 under 4th-year head coach Chad Bucci.

Northern, who finished second at the OAC Championships a season ago, welcomes back 10 letterswinners.

Northern will look to lean on seniors Blaine Ricketts, Brandon Lambert and Tyler Davis this season.

Ricketts, a three time letterwinner and 2015-16 All-OAC honoree, returns after a solid outing last season.

Ricketts owns the third lowest single season average in Ohio Northern history after he shot an average of 76.9 strokes per round in 2015-16.

Davis returns after posting the lowest scoring average in school history (76.0 strokes per round) and being named All-OAC in 2015-16.

The senior had ten top-10 finishes, five top-5 finishes and one first place finish last season for the Polar Bears.

Lambert also returns after a year away from the team and will bring a wealth of experience and talent to the team.

"It will be great having Brandon back on the team," said Bucci. "He adds a lot of talent to the team and should be a big contributor for us."

Juniors Zach Goodchild, Tim Monroe, and Riku Watanabe also will provide depth to Northern.

Goodchild ranked third on the team last season with an average of 77.1 strokes per round and posted four top-10 finishes. 

Monroe added three top-10 finishes for the Polar Bears last season. 

Also returning for Northern are sophomores Nick Anderson, David Gorman, Tanner Rader, and Joshua Turich.

Northern will also welcome freshman Brant Morton and Ryan Tatman in 2016.

"Our young guys will be fighting for a spot in the top-5 this season. They are a talented group and provide us with a lot of depth."

Northern opens the fall portion of the schedule Sept. 6 at the Ohio Dominican Fall Invitational.