RiverHawks Open 2010 Season at Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The 2010 golf season opens Monday for the Northeastern State RiverHawks and to say that golf coach Scott Varner is excited about his men's program is an understatement.

The RiverHawks tee off Monday at the ELCO California State-Bakersfield Invitational played at the Seven Oaks Country Club. The tournament runs through Tuesday. It's a tournament that the RiverHawks finished third a year ago, three-strokes behind Sonoma State, which won the NCAA Division II national championship last year.

"This is a great tournament to kick-off our golf season with," said Varner. "It's an exciting trip, just like our freshman, who has never been out there," said Varner.

The trip out west won't be all fun for the RiverHawks, however. It's also all business when the ‘Hawks take the course.

"I feel very confident that we have a little more firepower than we did in the fall and I am very excited about this team," said Varner.

Varner, who is in his 12^th season as coach of the RiverHawks, believes this team has positioned itself for an 11^th straight NCAA Tournament appearance. "We are clearly well positioned for that to occur and now we just have to go out and get it done," said Varner. "I am very confident we can reach that accomplishment again."

Despite the unusual inclement weather that has occurred this winter Varner's squad has been able to get a lot of work accomplished.

"We got a lot of work in despite all the bad weather we've had," said Varner. "We pride ourselves in working hard. Our kids are as ready as we can be. They have a great work ethic and attitude."

The men are strengthen with the improved play of Jacob Bartel, who according to Varner has returned to the No. 5 sport on the RiverHawks. "Josh is now playing with the swagger that I brought him in here with."

The former Class 4A state champion from Sallisaw, who also was also a state runner-up as a freshman, according to Varner is "playing with great confidence, which he lacked in the fall. He certainly has the tools and skills to be a tremendous player."

Varner said the RiverHawks basically were playing with a four man squad during the fall as he termed them -"iron men."

With Bartrel's improved play Varner is "very excited about the men's prospects this spring as Northeastern State's play gets under way.

Varner is also excited about the play of Kyle Fouts, a freshman from Carrollton, Texas. "Josh has hit the golf ball better than he has all year despite the cold weather," said Varner. Josh Boswell, junior from Wagoner, who was named to the Lone Star Conference team, is "a proven warrior."

"Josh had a great spring and he is proven to be on tap to be an All-American. He had a solid fall and if he continues in the spring he'll be an All-American," said Varner.