The Binghamton University golf team is off to a strong start this spring, winning the last two tournaments it has played. Finishing first at the Hal Sutton Invitational, and besting 19 teams at the Lafayette Invitational this past Saturday marked the first back-to-back tournament wins for the team since 2006.

“We have some momentum going into the season,” Binghamton head coach Bernie Herceg said. “The team is very competitive.”

Judging by its performance so far this spring, the team means business. BU put forth a solid fall season but is really hoping to step it up this spring, leading up to the conference tournament.

“We were there in the fall, but we were kind of lacking the fourth player score,” Herceg said. “We always had three out of five, but this spring we are really consistent, stronger and have more depth.”

Longtime team standout senior Jake Katz is continuing to be a cornerstone of the Bearcats’ foundation as he rides in the wake of two second-place finishes, including one school record at the Lafayette Invitational this past weekend. He shot a six-under final round score of 66, breaking the previous school best of four-under in a round. Katz finished the round with an eagle, four birdies and no bogeys. His coach was nothing but pleased.

“Jake is still our No. 1 man. He’s really working hard to be one of the top players in the country; he has a great work ethic,” said Herceg. “The rest of the team feeds off that.”

In addition to Katz, senior captain Patrick Donovan has remained a staple of consistency and the backbone of the team, finishing fifth and fourth respectively in the last two tournaments.

Inspired by the veterans, it seems, freshman David Cellura, an up-and-comer, has emerged as an athlete to keep an eye on as well. He finished 29th in the recent tourney.

Herceg was particularly enthusiastic about the freshman.

“A pleasant surprise; freshman David Cellura is a very hard worker and a dedicated player. He’s done well and traveled for us a lot. He’s gaining experience and he will definitely be a leader on this team as we move into the future.”

For these Bearcats, the future is now as the team looks ahead to the America Sky Conference championship coming up on April 26 and 27 in McAllen, Texas.