Tech opens 2022-23 season at Fighting Irish Classic

BLACKSBURG – Ahead of the start of the 2022-23 season, Virginia Tech men’s golf returns a roster that’s mixed with five upperclassmen, including two fifth years, and three underclassmen. That blend of experience will be put to the test at this weekend’s Fighting Irish Classic, which gets underway Sunday at the Warren Golf Course in South Bend, Indiana.

Tech found plenty of success over the course of the 2021-22 season. The Hokies finished in fifth place or better in four tournaments and in sixth place twice. Notable team performances included Tech’s top three finishes at the Old Town Club Intercollegiate and the Wolfpack Intercollegiate. In Raleigh, standout returner Daniel Azallion placed in a tie for fourth place, which marked the third top-five finish of his career.

Azallion, now a senior for the Hokies, will look to be one of Tech’s top golfers. In 2021-22, Azallion finished with a 71.53 scoring average, the second best on the team. He also placed inside the top 20 five times with 18 total par or better performances. Azallion will be one of the team leaders and try to build upon the stellar results of his past season. He is set to play at No. 1 for the season-opening event.

Charlie Hanson is a name to keep an eye on in 2022. The junior competed in four events in 2021 and finished with a 71.83 scoring average, which ranked fourth on the team. Hanson broke out in his first event down at the Old Town Club Collegiate. He recorded a 3-under 207 to tie for 19th place and give him his only top-20 placement of the season. Hanson will play in the No. 2 slot this weekend.

Fellow junior Kobe Valociek returns for his third season with the Hokies. Valociek participated in seven events and finished with a scoring average of 72.96. Like Hanson, Valociek found success at the Old Town Club Collegiate. In Winston-Salem, Valociek finished in fourth place and shot 9-under 201 with 12 birdies and an incredible hole-in-one. Valociek also finished inside the top 30 two more times last season.

Drew Brockwell comes in as another one of the Hokie veterans for the 2022-23 season. As a senior, Brockwell registered seven events and recorded a 73.14 scoring average. His season-best performance came in round two of the Dorado Beach Intercollegiate. Brockwell concluded the tournament at 2-under 214 to tie for 22nd place. The fifth year is set to compete in the No. 3 position at Notre Dame.

After not competing in an event in 2021-22, Cameron Moore will return to the fold as a…