Golf has seemed to slip under the radar as far as can be seen on the official Point Park sports website.
Despite the absence on the website, Coach Max Kaminsky still holds out hope for the golf team.
“Yeah, it’s been a little…hectic, it’s a rebuilding season, but we will get it done for sure,” Kaminsky said.
After playing for Point Park’s golf team and making it to two national championships, Kaminsky returned to Point Park to help and train the golfers of the university. Kaminsky has been working in the golfing industry ever since he got out of college, working as an assistant golf professional at country clubs, where he was teaching and running clinics. Kaminsky was also head golf coach at Laroche University in 2020.
“And then I was reaching out to a couple of universities about opportunities, and this happened to pop up,” Kaminsky said. “I was like, ‘well this would be a great opportunity because I went there and really loved the university.’ And well here we are.”
With the Point Park sports website still missing the current information about the golf team, the 2024-25 roster and schedule has yet to be updated. The most recent information listed for the men’s golf team is from April. The information on the women’s team was only recently updated, with first-year Gabi Wait placing second in a recent tournament.
“As of right now, it’s just Gabi Wait on the women’s team,” Kaminsky said. “Technically, right now we have five guys, but four of them are redshirting. So, it’s pretty much just one and one right now.”
Tharcisse Kalinda, from France, is the only golfer on the men’s team to participate in any events this year. Kalinda has yet to compete in any official matches.
“Redshirting is when you’re on the team, but you’re not allowed to participate in any events,” Kaminsky said.
Due to the transfer from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, regulations would prevent players from competing past the conference tournament. This is why most of the golfers on the men’s team elected to redshirt this year.
“So, it’s a two year wait, and then we try to apply and, hopefully, be able to compete for a national championship after that,” Kaminsky said.
The current routine of the golf teams consists of practice from 6:30 to around 9:30 every morning at the Quicksilver Golf Club. Kaminsky explains that he tries to have detailed practices and regimes that are tailored to the golfers’ specific techniques and swing changes.
“It’s always tough when it gets to the wintertime because you can’t go out to the course,” Kaminsky said. “So, we’re working right now, it’s not finalized yet, but with a deal with Five Iron Golf in Market Square. I think that’s a great opportunity for new recruits to see.”
Tharcisse Kalinda, the sole participant on the men’s golf team, competed in a tournament on Monday, Sept. 30 and Tuesday, Oct. 1. This tournament will be hosted by Pitt-Johnstown at Sunnehanna Country Club.
