Augusta, MI — Just a few months ago, Matt Denhartigh was one of the Aquinas men's golf team's top competitors, grinding out rounds and putting up some of the best scores in program history. Now, in his first season as head coach of both the men's and women's squads, Denhartigh finds himself on the other side of the scorecard, guiding his former teammates and taking on the countless responsibilities that come with leading a collegiate program. From building a strong team culture to managing the behind-the-scenes details few ever see, Denhartigh is learning the balance of coaching while striving to push the Saints toward better results on the course. This week, his team had the opportunity to measure themselves against conference competition at the WHAC Fall Preview, held at Stoatin Brae Golf Course in Augusta, Michigan.
WHAC Men's Fall Preview
The Saints finished 10th overall in the 12-team field, posting rounds of 310, 321, and 314 for a three-round total of 945 strokes. While the final standing wasn't where Aquinas wanted to be, the team showed signs of growth and resilience throughout the two-day event.
Leading the way for Aquinas was Austin Pitsch, who strung together three steady rounds in the 70s. His scores of 74, 75, and 76 left him at 225 (+12), good for a tie for 11th in the individual standings. Pitsch's consistency gave the Saints a reliable anchor across all three rounds.
McCoy Denhartigh bounced back after a tough opening round of 86, carding strong rounds of 78 and 76 to climb into a tie for 41st at 240 (+27). Carsen Miller provided depth early with a first-round 79 that kept the Saints within reach of the middle of the pack before turning in 94 and 85 in his remaining rounds.
The lineup was rounded out by Anthony Lalomia, who recovered from an uneven second round to close with a 77 and finish at 242 (+29), and Ben Holloway, who opened with a solid 77 and closed at 245 (+32).
Even when faced with challenging stretches, the Saints stayed positive and competed with focus. The group's ability to grind through adversity and support one another on the course was a key takeaway for Coach Denhartigh as he continues to guide his young roster through the fall campaign.
Inside the Numbers
• Aquinas posted a team total of 945, finishing 10th in the field.
• Austin Pitsch tied for 11th overall with three rounds in the 70s.
• McCoy Denhartigh rebounded from an opening 86 with rounds of 78 and 76.
• Five Saints recorded at least one round in the 70s across the three-day event.
Coaches' Comments
Following the tournament, Head Coach Matt Denhartigh commented on his team's effort:
"While we were all disappointed in the 10th place finish out of 12, we know we're better than what the results show. The guys know what they need to do to continue to build on the positives heading into the final two events of the fall season."
Up Next
After a week off, the Saints will be back in action October 6 & 7, 2025, at the Bethel Invite hosted at Harbor Shores. Fans can follow along with live stats, scores, and recaps at AQSaints.com.
