PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers men’s golf program hosted one of the best events of the year on Friday in the Hackberry Invitational.
The program led by head coach Rob Shutte hosted approximately 100 members of alumni, staff, fans, and family of the team for an event at the Rutgers University Golf Course.
The team hosted 20 alumni dating from last season all the way to the 1963 class at RU. Current member of the PGA Tour Chris Gotterup was in attendance and even played in the event.
The alumni who attended included Bill Garbarini (1963), Bill King (1979), Bill Baird (1983), Jim Guerra (1985), Patrick Olenick (1993), Ryan MacDonald (2001), Kevin Campana (2001), Tim Cadigan (2002), Eric Schecterman (2003_, Mike Michel (2003), Jason Bataille (2006), Seth Hirschhorn (2007), Doug Walters (2014), Chase Wheatley (2017), Ryan Rose (2017), Jack Panagos (2018), Chris Gotterup (2021), Bobby Weise (2021), and Brendan Hansen (2023). New assistant coach and former men’s golfer Oliver Whately was also in attendance.
Shutte kicked off the event by introducing the 2023-24 Scarlet Knights roster, who suited up as caddies for the participants in the event. Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs welcomed the guests and expressed his excitement for the season ahead.
“It’s a spectacular day to welcome you all here and we appreciate your support for the Rutgers men’s golf program,” head coach Rob Shutte said to kick off the event. “This event every year shows the continued support of our program. We are joined by a great group of alumni, fans and family of the program and we are excited to enjoy this day with you as we get set to kick off the new season.”
The Hackberry, now in its sixth year, is not only named after the most challenging and No. 1 handicapped ninth hole at the golf course, but embodies the qualities of the program, as the Hackberry tree is known for its’ perseverance and ability to survive the harshest of conditions.
Rutgers kicks off the season in just over a week in Independence Minnesota for the Gopher Invitational on Sunday, Sept. 10.
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