For the Binghamton golf team, the 2023 fall season marks the beginning of a new era. After nine years of Big Sky Conference play, the Bearcats will tee off their 2023-24 campaign as members of the Northeast Conference (NEC).

The change of scenery comes after a lackluster 2022-23 campaign for BU, with a tournament-best placement of seventh out of 10 teams at the Matthews Auto Intercollegiate. The Bearcats last saw tournament action at the Big Sky Conference Championships, finishing in last place in a six-team field.

Leading the way for BU at the tournament was freshman Brandon Conner, who finished tied for 16th, and senior Evan Sitts, who finished tied for 18th. Both Sitts and Conner will return to the squad for this year’s campaign, alongside much of BU’s upperclassmen core.

Joining the squad is freshman Jackson Vesper, a Texas native who made four American Junior Golf Association tournament appearances during his high school career. Under the stewardship of Binghamton head coach Bernie Herceg, who heads into his 16th season, the Bearcats will look to steer in the right direction.

BU will kick off the season at the Alex Lagowitz Invitational beginning on Saturday, Sept. 2. Tee times are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at Seven Oaks Golf Course in Hamilton, NY.