This weekend, at its only home tournament of the year at the Hiawatha Landing golf links, the Binghamton golf team will look to extend its winning streak to three consecutive tournaments. As of late, the Bearcats have had a strong home record, winning in their annual home tournament in 2003 and 2004, while placing fourth last year.

The forecast shows temperatures in the low 50s with gusty winds, which will definitely increase course difficulty by making it play much longer than usual. The greens will pose a challenge, but a fair one compared to last weekend’s greens at Yale.

The players have been practicing at Hiawatha Landing on a regular basis throughout their careers here at Binghamton, which will undoubtedly give them an added home field advantage because of the in-depth course knowledge that they possess. The top of the lineup will consist of senior Jeff Wolniewicz playing in the one spot, senior Aaron Ungvarsky in the two and junior Zach Vinal at three. Sophomore J.J. Shearer and junior Tom Hackett will round out the final two spots. The tournament will be BU’s final one of the fall season.

“We are really looking forward to this weekend’s tournament and the chance to finish out our season with three straight wins,” Wolniewicz said. “This win would cap off what would be a tremendous fall season for us.”

Lately Vinal has been hitting the ball very well, as have been Shearer and Ungvarsky. If anything has held Aaron Ungvarsky back from reaching his full potential this season, it is his putting. But after struggling at Yale, look for him to shine because of the home field advantage.

“With him being very familiar with these greens, and with his hard work at practice, I think you will see the REAL Aaron Ungvarsky come out this weekend,” said head coach Nick Lasky.

Originally, head coach Lasky was undecided about whom to start in the five spot, with Hackett, junior Ryan Gabel and freshman Patrick Donovan all presenting strong cases for themselves. Donovan was the number five starter when the season opened, then lost his spot when he went through some mid-year struggles, but he has played extremely well as of late.

To solve the dilemma, Lasky allowed the three to battle it out in an 18-hole playoff Wednesday morning to acquire the right to start in the home tournament, and Hackett won. But the fact that a playoff was necessary really attests to the overall depth of this team.

“Whenever I have playoffs I am always comfortable with however they turn out, and if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have them,” Lasky said. “So I would have been happy with Hackett, Gabel or Donovan starting this weekend.”

But Gabel and Donovan will get a chance to play as individuals in the tournament, as will freshmen Brian Golkiewicz and Mike Corbo. At home tournaments, it has been a long-standing tradition for the “second team” to play well enough to try and beat the “first team.” This has actually happened several times in past years, and look for these four guys to provide friendly competition for the rest of the team to try and make it happen again.

A major fan turnout would be excellent, and would really provide the Bearcats with some added momentum. To get to the Hiawatha Landing golf course, take Route 17 West to Exit 66, then turn left at the light at the end of the exit ramp toward Route 434. Turn right at the next light onto Route 434 West. From there, continue for 1.5 miles and turn right at the first right turn, Marshland Road. Continue over Route 17 on Marshland Road for .5 miles, and the course will appear on the right-hand side.