ABOUT ARCADIA ARCADIA GOLF

ABOUT ARCADIA GOLF ABOUT ARCADIA ATHLETICS

HEAD COACH: Chris Merce (Saint Peter’s, ‘08, ‘10MA) NICKNAME: Knights E-MAIL: [email protected] COLORS: Scarlett and Grey OFFICE PHONE: (215)-572-2804 CONFERENCE: Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth (Men) ASSISTANT COACH: Tate Olson (Arcadia, ‘16) Middle Atlantic Conference (Women) HEAD STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH: Todd Barnes DIRECTOR OF ATHLETCS & RECREATION: Brian Granata ASST SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR (Golf Contact): Joe Wydner FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE: Jun Woo Kim HEAD ATHLETICS TRAINER: Danielle Duffy VARSITY TEAMS: 19 (9 Men’s, 10 Women’s) PRACTICE COURSES: Cedarbook Country Club, Old York Road Country WEBSITE: ArcadiaKnights.com Club, Sunnybrook Country Club, Flourtown Country Club Twitter: @ArcadiaUGolf Facebook: Facebook.com/ArcadiaUGolf

ABOUT QUICK FACTS

LOCATION: Glenside, - APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES NORTH OF CENTER CITY FOUNDED 1853 -RANKED AMONG TOP UNIVERSITES IN THE NORTH BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT: 2,484 -RANKED #1 BY OPEN DOORS FOR STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN STUDY ABROAD INTERIM PRESIDENT: Hank Brown -74% OF UNDERGRADUATES USE PASSPORT BEFORE GRADUATING PROVOST: John R. Hoffman -99% OF ARCADIA STUDENTS HAVE SECURED POST-GRADUATE STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 13:1 OPPORTUNITY WITHIN 9 MONTHS OF GRADUATION AVERAGE CLASS SIZE: 16 -GREY TOWERS CASTLE, A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, IS A VITAL PART OF CAMPUS

ADMISSIONS FAST FACTS ARCADIA GOLF HEAD COACH ARCADIA GOLF

Chris Merce Head Men’s and Women’s Coach

Chris Merce enters his second full season as head men's and women's golf coach in 2017-18, following his hire in February 2016.

In his first full season at Arcadia, Merce guided Kyle Henofer to the program’s first-ever MAC Commonwealth Individual Championship with a two-day score of 151. Henofer was also named the Knights’ first-ever Sorrentino MAC Commonwealth Men’s Golfer of the Year, along with becoming program’s first First-Team all-conference selection since 2008. Merce also led Ryan Kelley to a Second-Team All-MAC Commonwealth selection. Henofer (151) and Kelley (159) posted the lowest 36-hole scores in the history of the program in a conference championship, while the team’s combined score of 684 was also a new 36-hole conference championship program low. On the women’s side, Merce helped the team drop its four-player scoring average by 47 strokes over his first full season with three players finishing in the top-30 at the 2017 MAC Championship. Overall, Merce oversaw an expansion of Arcadia’s tournament schedule, while also hosting the program’s first-ever invitational in April 2017.

Merce came to Arcadia from NCAA Division I Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he was in his second stint as assistant men’s golf coach. In his second stint at Saint Peter’s he coached eventual Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Individual Champion Nick Dilio. He also helped recruit three members of the Peacocks 2017 MAAC Championship team.

Merce spent the 2013-15 seasons as the head men’s golf coach at Division I Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. While the head coach for the Gaels, Merce’s team finished second at the 2015 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship while coaching the 2015 MAAC Individual Champion, MAAC Rookie of the Year, and a NCAA Regional participant. Before taking over the reigns at Iona, Merce served as Iona’s assistant coach for one year. His teams also received NCAA Public Recognition Awards for APR during his entire tenure at Iona.

While at Iona, Merce also served as Coordinator of Academics before being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services. In these roles, he helped to monitor the academic progress and eligibility of the college’s student-athletes, while also serving as the liaison to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Merce’s collegiate coaching career began at Saint Peter’s, where he was the assistant coach for four years. In 2012, he helped guide the Peacocks to a second-place finish at the MAAC Championship, which at the time was the highest finish for the program in the 31-year history of the conference. Mercecoached six players that earned All-MAAC honors, and played a key role in recruiting the roster that won the 2014 and 2015 MAAC Championships after his departure.

Merce also served as the Assistant Academic-Athletic Coordinator for the Peacocks, where he assisted in monitoring the academic progress for the university’s 300 student-athletes. Prior to this, he served as a graduate assistant for Student-Athlete Academic Support, where he coordinated student-athlete’s study hall and assisted in the athletic department's Academic Progress Program. During this time, the department saw a rise in overall student-athlete GPA to over a 3.0 for the first time.

Merce earned his bachelor’s in history (2008) and master’s in educational leadership (2010) from Saint Peter’s, where he was a four- year letterwinner and two-year captain. At the time of his graduation, Merce held school records for lowest single round score, most rounds under par and lowest MAAC Championship individual score.

As an amateur player, Merce captured the Westchester Golf Association Public Links Championship in 2009 and 2011, the Westchester County Publinks Championship in 2010, 2015 and 2017, the 2016 South Jersey Golf Association Mid-Amateur Champi- onship and was runner-up at the 2011 Westchester Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship. In addition, he has qualified and competed in several of the most prestigious events in the New York metropolitan area including the MGA IKE Championship, MGA Public Links Championship, Amateur, and Westchester Open. 2017 MAC CHAMPIONSHIP ARCADIA GOLF All TIME AWARDS ARCADIA GOLF GOLF FACILITIES ARCADIA GOLF

Old York Road Country Club in Spring House, PA serves home course for Arcadia’s men’s and women’s golf teams as well as the annual Arcadia Athletics Golf Outing each June. While Old York Road Country Club was officially established in 1910, the current course layout was designed by William and David Gordon and opened in 1963. The course plays as a Par 71 measuring 6600 yards for the men’s team and 6200 yards for the women’s team. The course challenges players to hit precise approach shots and putting the fast, severely sloped, undulating greens. http://www.oyrcc.com/

Cedarbrook Country Club also serves as the host of the Knights Invitational, which held it’s inaugural tournament in April 2017. Cedarbrook was established in in 1919 on a piece of farmland that was developed into a golf course by famed architect A.W. Tillinghast and later redesigned by Donald Ross. In 1961, a new tract of land, situated on 210 contiguous acres of rolling open space, woodlands, and the Wissahicon Creek in Blue Bell, PA, was purchased and developed into the current course by renowned Massachusetts golf course architect, William F. Mitchell using the principles of Tillinghast and Ross. The current par 72 layout plays at over 7000 yards for the men’s team and 6100 yards for the women’s team. and is characterized by the Wissahickon Creek running through its middle and developed into the current course

Over the years, Cedarbrook Country Club has hosted distinguished competitions such as the Golf Association of Philadelphia's Amateur Championship and Patterson Cup, USGA Amateur and Senior Amateur Qualifiers, and numerous events held by the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America.

GOLF FACILITIES ARCADIA GOLF

Sunnybrook Country Club, located in Plymouth Meeting, PA, allows the Arcadia men’s and women’s teams limited access for practice. The original course, designed by Donald Ross, was incorporated in 1914 and opened for play in 1915. The current layout was designed by William and David Gordon and opened in 1956. In 2000 and 2001 the course received an architectural upgrade under the direction of the nationally recognized design team of Hurdzan and Fry.

The par 72 layout is acknowledged to be one of the most difficult courses in the area and plays at nearly 7000 yards for the men’s team and 6100 yards for the women’s team. Sunnybrook has hosted the USGA Senior Men’s Amateur Championship and the USGA Women’s Amateur Championship, as well as a number of local and state tournaments. www.sunnybrook.org

Flourtown Country Club is a 9 hole golf course located in Springfield Township, PA and allows the Arcadia men’s and women’s teams access throughout the season. Originally designed by Donald Ross, the course was the site of the original Sunnybrook Golf Club until the early 1950’s when Springfield Township took over the grounds and a portion of the property was developed into houses. The remaining grounds were redesigned by George Fazio and it became known Flourtown Country Club. www.flourtowncc.com ON CAMPUS FACILITIES ARCADIA GOLF

The Dome serves as an indoor on-campus practice space for Arcadia's men’s and women’s golf teams during the winter months. The Dome is put up each fall over a portion of Wiess Tennis Courts in mid-October, and stays up until Spring Break in mid-March, allowing the golf team to practice year round regardless of the weather conditions outside.

The Catherine M. and Harry G. Kuch Recreation and Athletic Centerhouses Alumni Gymnasium, Lenox Pool, Arcadia Athletic Hall of Fame, fitness center, an indoor elevated running track, aerobics and dance studio, locker rooms, athletic training room, and the Athletics and Recreation Department offices.

The building was renovated and expanded as part of the University Commons student center addition in 2012, giving a facelift to lobby and Alumni Gymnasium, new equipment in the fitness center, the addition of a new weight training room, and expanded office space for the Athletics and Recreation Department staff. TOURNAMENT COURSES ARCADIA GOLF

Arcadia’s men’s and women’s teams typically compete in 10-15 events during the fall and springs seasons in addition to the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship held at the end of April. Here is a look at some of the courses the Knights have competed on in recent years: CAMPUS ARCADIA GOLF

Arcadia University’s 81-acre campus in Glenside, Pa., is the former private estate of the late sugar refiner William Welsh Harrison. Since its purchase in 1929, Harrison’s land has been transformed into a thriving academic community in metropolitan Philadelphia.

Glenside is home to the renowned Keswick Theatre, unique stores, and eateries. With parks and shopping nearby, Glenside offers small-town charm and big-city accessibility within walking distance from campus.

Students frequently take advantage of Arcadia’s proximity to Philadelphia. Center City is just 25 minutes from campus and is easily accessed by car, bus or train. Philadelphia offers a multitude of destinations and activities. New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. are also easily accessible by train. A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ARCADIA GOLF

IIE Open Doors—The Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors Report ranks Arcadia University #1 for the percentage of undergraduate #1 students participating in a study abroad experience of master’s level In Study Abroad schools (November 2015). Arcadia has been at the top of the list the last Participation six years. Gain a Global Perspective Arcadia University study abroad programs are developed with academic rigor and co-curricular opportunities to engage you in the culture and community in which you are studying. At Arcadia, we're not just about study abroad; we address global issues. Whether a field study course or a semester study abroad, Arcadia is renowned for our quality academic programs. Each year, we provide opportunities for thousands of U.S. students, faculty, and staff to gain a global perspective.

Preview the World - First Year and Transfer Students Preview is a full semester course for first-year and new transfer students at Arcadia University. The 2-credit course is offered in the Spring semester and integrates a weeklong global field study over semester break as part of the curriculum.

Global Field Study Global Field Study (GFS) consists of semester-long courses that take place on the Glenside campus which include an off-campus field study typically lasting -1 2 weeks in the middle or at the end of the semester. GFS courses are open to sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.

Summer Programs The College of Global Studies offers numerous summer programs for those not wishing to study abroad during the academic year. WHERE WE STUDY ARCADIA GOLF