June 9, 2003

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's golf team celebrated its 2002-2003 season with an end of the year barbecue hosted by head coach John Kennaday at his home on Sunday afternoon.

Following a meal that featured skirt steak, potatoes, beans and a few other BBQ staples, Kennaday handed out the team's Most Valuable Golfer award. The 2002-2003 winner, as voted on by his teammates, was Justin Ahasic who posted the best stroke average on the team as a junior with his 74.5 average.

Included in that scoring average was 29 of 31 competitive rounds that were in the 70's or lower. He finished second at the SCU Invitational in the Fall after registering rounds of 73, 71 and 72 for a tournament total of even-par, 216. At the CHL Invitational hosted by Cal State Northridge, he finished fourth with a two-day total of 1-under par, 215. He also added two 10th place finishes at the Sacramento State Invitational and the Western Intercollegiate hosted by San Jose State. His 2-under par score of 214 at the Western Intercollegiate included back-to-back rounds of 3-under par, 69's during the final two rounds at the Pasatiempo Golf Course in Santa Cruz.

Ahasic also became the second Scholar All-America selection in program history, joining Tony Okano he received the award twice during his time at Santa Clara. In the classroom he posted a 3.64 Winter Quarter grade point average, improving his overall GPA to a 3.56 entering the Spring Quarter on the Mission Campus.

Kennaday also noted the two All-West Coast Conference honorable mention selections that occurred in 2003, as Michael Nicoletti and Matt Klenz each earned the honor after both players finished in top-15 at the league championships.