VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3
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GreenMarket a season favorite Stories of overcoming adversity Win a Chick-fil-A gift card
Monday, October 19, 2015
News
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Cover photo: The Green Market is underway. See story page 2. Photo by Jackie Streng.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Area vendors gather to sell their products
GreenMarket returns to Clematis Street By Jackie Streng Staff Writer Fall 2015
DUANE MEEKS Dean of School of Communication and Media MICHAEL RAY SMITH Adviser SIERRA DARVILLE Executive Editor CELESTE BROWN News Editor/Art Director DAVID WILLIAMS Features Editor JOY MOORE Web Editor JEREMIAH SATER Senior Web Editor/Sports Editor SELBY STEBBINS Photo Editor KATIE FORSYTHE Broadcast Content Editor AMANDA HIGGINS Advertising Director Staff: Peter Amirata Taylor Branham Aaron Broghamer April Evans Jordan Flug Kayla Harris Nicole Jimenez Curtis McParland Danielle Mendocha Amber Miller Benjarong Murray Avery Korn Keisha Oakley Tracy Peyton Jackie Streng
READMYBEACON.COM
Mission Statement The Beacon is an award-winning student publication of Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Fla. Its mission is to highlight the campus while providing coverage of the community. The students participate in a journalism laboratory and write articles for class. While news of PBA remains a staple of the publication, coverage includes of the surrounding community, with attention to issues such as politics and law enforcement, business, arts and entertainment, religion and more. To supplement the monthly publication, the staff edits an online site called Readmybeacon.com and includes content not found in the print edition. In 2015 Evangelical Press Association awarded Readmybeacon.com a secondplace award in national competition.
Started in 1994, the GreenMarket was created to provide an outlet for locally grown crops and stimulate agricultural development and operates from October to May. “It’s a place people can come and buy fresh local products from vendors that you can build relationships with. You get to know people and their stories,” Resch said. “It’s a weekend destination on the waterfront that has something for everyone.” It has been ranked as the number one green market in the state of Florida and in the top 50 of the country, according to Cooking Light Magazine. GreenMarket manager Katrina Resch said that an average of 5,000 people attend the GreenMarket each weekend. The West Palm Beach GreenMarket runs each Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the fifth year the event has taken place on the one waterfront, located at the east end of Clematis Street near Narcissus Avenue. GreenMarket coordinator Jessica Kelly said many other enjoyable aspects are available at the GreenMarket besides the products, from pet friendly activities, to live entertainment and a children’s area. “It benefits business owners,
farmers and growers,” she said. “[GreenMarket] gives them an outlet to spread the word about where their real business is [located], all while bringing it to a fun downtown location.” This year’s GreenMarket has approximately 80 vendors, who all carry a wide range of products. Categories of vendor products range from organic produce, spices, exotic plants and flowers, pet items, bakery goods, fresh juices and beverages, meat and dairy products to handcrafted home decor. Resch said the process of picking vendors for the GreenMarket is strenuous. “We have the best vendors for the GreenMarket,” Resch said. “We try to diversify the types of vendors we have so we don’t oversaturate a particular category. We don’t want 10 vendors all selling the same product, but rather those with quality.” One vendor at the GreenMarket is Antonio Romani of R&R Orchids. Starting at 21 years old, Romani has sold Vanda Orchids at the West Palm Beach GreenMarket for 15 years. He began with one market tent and a small shade house to grow his orchids. After meeting his business partners at the GreenMarket, Romani owns five acres of land in Loxahatchee, Fla. and is also the first visible vender at the beginning of the street. “This is the place to sell your
product,” Romani said. “[GreenMarket] has made my life. I built my company here from the ground up. Now I have a good following. It’s fun and I love it.” Romani said the sense of community at GreenMarket is one of his favorite aspects. “You have the local community and high society who all come down here, and it’s neat to see,” Romani said. “This is paradise. It doesn’t get better than this.” According to the GreenMarket website, the products a customer buys support the hundreds of
acres of local farm land in South Florida and represent a history of wholesome products and honest dealings. Resch also said GreenMarket is important because it shows how to pour into the local community. When considering a local market, she says GreenMarket is the way to go. “We really are the best GreenMarket in Florida,” she said. “We are worth the drive. Everything positive you may have heard about this event is true.”
Photo by Jackie Streng GreenMarket runs every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Shoppers can be seen sampling vendors’ products and interacting with area businesses.
CANVAS Art Show coming in November Downtown West Palm to unveil street art By Keisha Oakley Staff Writer Each year, 20 well known street artists come to West Palm Beach, Fla. for an art show called CANVAS. This year the show will be from Nov. 8 to 22. This event will feature 20 murals, installations and video art. “This year we have an all-star list of artists,” Henry said. “Hopefully this event will drive traffic to West Palm Beach, which will help the local businesses, as well as bring culture and fun things for the residents to do.” Portrait by Sean Yoro, aka Hula. The face of CANVAS 2015. Photo courtesy of Nicole Henry. The art show is similar to Miami’s Art Basel that runs in Derealized I wanted an art event here include video art, photography and cember and includes area artists. in West Palm Beach, so I made it paintings. Murals will be displayed on happen,” Henry said. “This event will be an explosion buildings, parking garages and According to PBA’s workship ofof the top artists that have masbridges, while indoor art exhibits fice, Palm Beach Atlantic students sive followings on social media,” also will be accesible. are welcome to volunteer at the Henry said. “I’m hoping people can West Palm Beach has been event for workship credit. watch their favorite artists live and growing exceedingly in its art and Student volunteers can help by interact with them. This event will entertainment district. standing near murals and acting as help the economy, real estate values, Nicole Henry, event founder of assistants to the artists, as well as create fun things and even attract CANVAS and gallery owner of learning more about their artwork. more talent.” Nicole Henry Fine Art, is excited to For those who want to learn Sean Yoro, street and fine arts present this year’s artwork. more about the different artists’ painter, is one of the artists that will This event begins on Clematis work, a barcode is placed in front of feature his work at the event. Street, reaches down to Flagler every mural to scan and download “His paintings primarily focus Boulevard, up to Rosemary Village information. on realistic female figures, while and back around to Fern Street. The main focus of the artists’ capturing a range of emotions,” “By traveling around the world work is public street art, as well as Yoro’s assistant said. and going to different art events, I other contemporary artists’ that Cheryl Maeder, abstract photog-
rapher and filmmaker, is another artist that will feature her work at the event. “I am going to present a film that is made especially for CANVAS,” Maeder said. She has lived in Switzerland and the United States and has galleries of her art all around the world. “My artwork is known internationally,” Maeder said. “I currently have a gallery in Paris, and my upcoming gallery will be located in Italy.” Maeder is thankful for the opportunity of working with Nicole Henry and being able to show her artwork. “Nicole Henry is very visionary, incredible to work with and establishes the true meaning of fine art,” Maeder said. For more information about CANVAS, visit canvaswpb.org.
“Nicole Henry is very visionary, incredible to work with and establishes the true meaning of fine art,” Maeder said.
News
Monday, October 19, 2015
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Life, leadership and life lessons at President’s Lyceum President Fleming invites student and professors to hear speaker By Jordan Flug Staff Writer For the first time this semester, the Warren Library will host the prestigious President’s Lyceum today at 6 p.m. The event has been traditionally exclusive to students and faculty of Palm Beach Atlantic University for the past three years. This year’s first Lyceum will feature guest speaker Jay Twyman, a private consultant and investor, as well as the senior managing director of Barclay’s
and managing director, Bear Stearns. “The word lyceum dates back to the Greek philosopher Aristotle and his school,” PBA honors professor Tom St. Antoine said. “The word was then later used as a location, an establishment here in America for educated adults to gather and discuss many important topics and issues happening at the time.” PBA has regarded this word to the highly qualified students that meet the qualifications of the Lyceum. They are invited to a dinner with a distinguished guest
speaker for the evening. Invited students consist of upperclassmen hand-picked from advisers and faculty in the student’s respected schools and departments, including in the honors program. “Students have been chosen to attend based on academic record [and] their ability to contribute to conversations on business, politics, ethics, current events and other timely issues,” St. Antoine said. PBA has hosted this event since 2012. It is intended to be the President’s Forum on cam-
pus. St. Antoine goes on to say, “Many treat it as if it was a class taught on campus by President William Fleming.” Distinguished speakers deliver messages on leadership, character and life lessons. Speakers are encouraged to share their life story and advise students on how the forum can be beneficial. Speakers from previous years include Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, Former U.S. Senator Bill Brock and founder of Home Depot, Kenneth Langone. “What is so wonderful is that there is a trust between the audience and the speaker,” St. Antoine said. “When our speakers come to PBA they are engaged in a hospitable environment that not too many other locations can provide. The speakers can then candidly share material that they would not share in other settings.” St. Antoine and strategic global development director Craig Hanson are the liaisons to the Lyceum. Another sponsor to the President’s Lyceum is Geoffrey Stringer, an executive vice president of Bank One and friend of the university. “It’s such an honor to be a part of the Lyceum,” senior english major Hannah Menendez said. “It shows a lot of trust, I think, on the university’s part that they invite students like [myself] to
personally interact with such prestigious guests.” Following the dinner, President Fleming will introduce the evening’s guest speaker. The speaker will share their success story and explain how they have gotten to where they are today. “One thing that students get out of each dinner is inspiration,” St. Antoine said. “Students see success and this gives them the foundation to their future.” Students are encouraged to open discussion and pose questions that revolve around the topic. Hanson’s question is reserved last for the evening, a Lyceum tradition. “I am extremely honored and humbled to be able to attend such a cool series of events,” student body president Evan Berlanti said. “I’ve been able to meet, learn from and ask questions to some of the most influential people of our time. He has been a part of the Lyceum as a student for three years. “My learning at PBA has been dramatically enhanced by our conversations,” Berlanti said.
Select students will have the chance to hear Jay Twyman speak in the Warren Library.
American Free Enterprise Day Ceremony Honoring Medalist
Leo A. Vecellio Jr. Chairman, President and CEO of Vecellio Group, Inc. and
Companion Medalists Penny G. Murphy • Pioneer Linens Carey O’Donnell • O’Donnell Agency Joseph B. “Jay” Shearouse, III • First Bank of the Palm Beaches
Thursday, November 5, 2015 10:45 a.m. Greene Complex for Sports and Recreation Students will receive one chapel credit for participating. A complimentary lunch will follow the ceremony. Leo A. Vecellio Jr.
2150222 AFE Beacon Ad.indd 1
10/14/15 8:42 AM
Features
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Monday, October 19, 2015
Peggy Adams Petmobile makes CityPlace appearance
Animals set to make set appearance By Tracy Peyton Staff Writer
Precious Pet Photos, an event hosted by the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, took place Saturday Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the stage in CityPlace. The Animal Rescue League of the Palm Beaches was established in 1924 after eight women sought to provide care for animals abandoned by owners, who returned to the north post-winter. Attendees of this event will have access to PetMobile’s state of the art social kiosk, a device that allows an individual to take photos with the animals. Anyone at the event without a pet can take photos with the animals provided by PetMobile, using their social kiosk. The pets brought by the ARL will also be available for adoption. CityPlace will provide a $25 dollar gift card usable at any of their shops for visitors who decide to adopt a pet. Because of the amount of stress and other factors, the pets
featured booths to inform students about volunteering for the organization. “It is great that this organization helps get animals off of the streets, so they don’t get put down,” Freeman says. The deadline for signing up on Oct. 17 has passed and was followed by a prerequisite volunteer orientation that took place Oct. 7. Future opportunities will be available to the community for later events. “We are always looking for volunteers,” Gottesman says. PBA students looking for workship opportunities can contact the ARL through www. peggyadams.org or visit the Workship Office for more details. Peggy Adams helps to care for abandoned animals and find them homes. Photo courtesy of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League.
will not be available for fostering. However, PetMobile employees will be available to discuss options for fostering animals from their shelter says marketing consultant for the ARL Cindy Martin. She says this is the first time the ARL has held an event at CityPlace. “The event is a fun and
“It is great that this organization helps get animals off of the streets, so they don’t get put down,” Freeman says.
exciting way to shop,” Martin says. She was encouraged by the willingness of students to help a worthy cause. This year Palm Beach Atlantic sophomore and workship leader, Emily Freeman organized the workship expo that was held during Connect Week. The ARL was among the
Interactive Media Club forms on campus
Video games used to create community
Q&A
By Peter Amirata Staff Writer On Sept. 9, an unforeseen addition was made to the list of clubs and organizations at Palm Beach Atlantic University. In an uncontested vote, club presidents met for their monthly club meetings with student government and approved the incorporation of the Interactive Media Club, founded by junior Peter Newman. With the purpose of enhancing one’s gaming abilities, this club was created to facilitate the improvement of gamers and create a new social environment for students at PBA. “This club is something new and nothing like this has ever been on campus before,” Newman says. When membership within the club is solidified, Newman plans on entering members in local gaming competitions and creating videos game triathlons. “Coming together with friends to do something we all enjoy is what great clubs are all about,” he says. “I know people that have already made friends by joining this club and, despite popular belief, I think that video games are a great connector in terms of sociability.” According to Newman, their competitions may feature giftcard prizes to help create more incentive and bring out every gamer’s best ability. “I have always enjoyed playing video games on my own time
• When does the club meet? Every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. • Where does the club meet? It meets in MAC 1291. Student government voted to add the Interactive Media group to campus clubs in September. Photo courtesy of Chapendra (Flickr). with friends online,” marketing major John Maenner says. Newman also desires to host several community events throughout the semester. One event would include going to an area children’s hospital to play video games with patients. “I think that a major reason for clubs to be impactful on campus is to create community events,” he says. “I think that by doing things like going to local hospitals can be a great example of how these games can bring people together.” The process of pioneering a new club on campus is not a hard process, according to Newman. “The hardest part about setting up the club was creating the constitution,” he says. “Overall, I would say the process isn’t too difficult, but it definitely requires a strong commitment and willingness to put effort in.” Any student interested in cre-
ating a new club or chapter must fill out the necessary paperwork through the Student Activities Involvement and Leadership office, as well as find a faculty advisor to support their cause. The student government director of clubs and organizations Katie Forsythe is available “Clubs bring people together and create opportunities where kids can learn outside of the classroom,” Amato Zarro says. to help with the process. “Clubs bring people together and create opportunities where kids can learn outside of the classroom,” investment club founder Amato Zarro says. “Clubs on campus provide opportunities to get more out of your undergrad years, and I have seen it first hand.” Newman hopes that this club
will remain established for the rest of his undergrad years, especially considering that a club like Interactive Media has never been planted on campus. “Hopefully we can get enough momentum, and we will see where it goes,” he says. “Our new club voting process has worked great so far, and I am excited to see how this club ends up going because so many other club presidents voted to approve it.” Marketing major and president of the marketing club Hunter Durham was among those voted to pass the club. “People with similar interests need a place to make friends and talk about hobbies they are passionate about,” Durham says. “This club seems like a great way to fulfill that need.” The club will be meet every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the MacArthur lecture hall room 1291.
• Who is leading this club? The club president is Peter Newman • Who is the faculty adviser? Taylor Smythe • Who can join this club? Anyone who loves video games is welcome to join. • Why join a club on campus? To get more out of your time here at PBA.
Features
Monday, October 19, 2015
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Cancer cannot stop Bob’s smiles By Celeste Brown News Editor He has experienced trauma, died and been brought back to life and recently beat cancer. If you met him, though, you’d never know. He often can be seen wearing an eyepatch, serving students in Palm Beach Atlantic’s student dining hall, with a smile plastered on his face. Aramark employee Bob Willmot has worked at PBA for six years and loves his job. Willmot’s parents divorces when he was 9 years old. Born and raised Roman Catholic, Willmot served as a lector at St. John’s in Port St. Lucie, Fla. at the age of 11. At age 13, Willmot walked away from the church and from God. He didn’t understand why God would allow him go through suffering. According to Willmot, in 1989 he died at the age of 25 from Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, when the heart’s electrical circuit is disrupted. He was resuscitated but only after doctors trying 15 times to shock his heart; the limit doctors usually attempt to revive someone is 10 times. It was during the desperate attempts from doctors that Willmot describes as an out-of-body experience. He says he died but remembers watching his physical body being worked on, while his spirit was in the presence of a being. Willmot says that his cur-
Bob Willmot has worked at Palm Beach Atlantic for six years, only recently beginning to work in the Fraiser Dining Hall. Photo by Avery Korn.
rent primary care physician is the same one who resuscitated him in 1989, and that his doctor explained to him exactly what happened to his body in those moments that he was pronounced dead. Willmot describes the moments of being in the presence of God. He says he couldn’t see God, but he simply felt a sense of peace. “I became aware of a presence of someone a lot more powerful, larger than I was. I felt small, very small. I remember falling to my knees,
and I knew I was in the presence of God. It was a glorious feeling, no worries, no cares, and I knew it was not my
“I remember falling to my knees, and I knew I was in the presence of God.”
time and I was coming back,” Willmot says. “My life without God flashed before my eyes and in those seconds, I saw that during that time, I was not alone; even after I turned
my back on him, he didn’t turn away from me. And I saw that in times of struggle, I was not alone. He was always there.” In April of 2015, Willmot was diagnosed with a cancerous eye tumor. His doctor went in for what was expected to be a 45 minute surgery to remove the tumor but came out three and a half hours later having to remove Willmot’s entire left eye. Late into the spring 2015 semester, the chapel office sent out an email to the PBA community revealing Will-
*
*Beacon editors and staff writers are not eligible to win. Gift card cannot be used on campus.
mot’s condition, and encouraged students and faculty to pray for him throughout the summer. “Robin White and [her husband] Bob were instrumental in my recovery,” Willmot says. He says he received immense support from PBA. He didn’t know how he would be received when he returned, with only one eye and feelings of self-consciousness. When he walked through the door at the beginning of the spring 2015 semester, Willmot said he was greeted with handshakes and hugs. “Being here at PBA is the best therapy I could ever get. That’s a fact,” Willmot says. He can be seen with a prosthetic over his left eye, but Willmot insists the eye patch is just as preferable. “I have fun with the eye patch. I love it,” Willmot says. He emphasized that despite the trials he has been through, he believes that they are not for his detriment. He thinks that somebody else needed him to go through the experience with cancer so they could grow from it. At the end of the day, Willmot says he is content where he is, in life and in his relationship with God. “I am more than my physical body, and that changed my life,” he says. “I’ve already died. I’m not afraid of death. I’m here to have fun.”
Sports
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Monday, October 19, 2015
Giles Chapman overcomes adversity and looks ahead By Benjarong Murray Staff Writer The Palm Beach Atlantic men’s basketball team will feature eight additions to the roster this upcoming season. Among the new players is graduate student Giles Chapman from Oakland, Calif., who is seeking his master’s degree in leadership. “I chose PBA because it was the best fit for me to extend my academics and continue to play collegiate sports,” he said. No ordinary transfer, Chapman comes to PBA from the University of Nevada, where he played NCAA Division I football. A standout slot receiver and kick returner, he was named to the National Underclassmen Combine All-American First Team at the U.S. Army AllAmerican Football Combine out of high school. As a point guard on his high school basketball team in California, Chapman was offered several Division I scholarships from schools including the University of Alabama and Virginia Tech. However, he committed to playing football at Alabama State University before transferring to play with the Nevada Wolf Pack. PBA head men’s basketball coach David Balza said he is excited to have Chapman join this year’s team. “His footwork is tremendous, while his quickness and ball handling are also very strong,” Balza
Graduate student Giles Chapman signs a ball during the men’s basketball team trip to Costa Rica during the summer.
said. “He will primarily serve as press-breaker, where his speed can counteract a strong defensive press.” Chapman said he is ready to help his new team in other aspects as well. “Passion, intelligence and all-around love for the game are what I am trying to bring to the table for [the team] this year,” he said. “I want to be the voice that calms the storm in times of doubt and the player my teammates can come to if they are having trouble in any area of the game or life.” Chapman understands how to overcome strong adversity. He was involved in a critical car accident Sept. 9, 2014.
“Coming from class, I made a left turn down my street towards my house, when I was hit by a drunk driver operating a 4x4 pickup truck at high speed,” he said. “My heart stopped beating for six seconds, and my legs were crushed.” He does not remember how he got out of the vehicle, but as he lay by the side of the road, he said his life flashed before his eyes. “Before opening my eyes, I saw a bright white light, while women ran up and down the street yelling, ‘someone is dead, someone is dead!’” Chapman said. He was rushed to the hospital.
“The diagnosis was that I suffered torn hip flexors in both of my hips, fractured my right eye socket and had massive swelling around my back and spine area,” Chapman said. “I was told by the doctor that I would never be able to play football again because hits to the head could cause trauma, which could re-shatter my eye.” With dreams of entering the NFL suddenly gone, Chapman focused his energy toward a new goal. He said he spent six months in rehabilitation during what was a difficult and strenuous process. “I decided that I was going to continue my collegiate athletic career playing basketball no matter what it took,” Chapman said. The difficulties of his recovery
did not stop him from finishing his bachelor’s degree on time and returning to prime physical condition. “His legs have healed up very well from what I have seen, and he has shown us all great maturity,” Balza said. “Our team mission trip to Costa Rica prior to the school year allowed him to show the rest of the team his character and eased his integration.” Assistant head men’s basketball coach Allen Corbin agreed. “He’s a really good kid, and I believe he will be successful,” he said. “I hope that he can bring maturity and leadership to our team throughout the year.” Balza said he believes that Chapman will also easily become a crowd favorite due to his 5-foot-9 stature and lightning speed. Chapman said he is thrilled to have been warmly welcomed as a new member of the Sailfish athletics family. “To have gone through the horrific accident I was in,” he said. “And still have the trust that coach Balza has instilled in me is something words can’t describe.” Now that he has found a new home at PBA, Chapman intends to make the most of it. “I intend to bring a spark to this program with a little California flavor that can shake things up in a positive and uplifting manner,” he said. “I am also determined to make a difference in the lives of others through my story.”
Women’s basketball prepares for season with veteran roster
Five new players added to the roster By Kayla Harris Staff Writer The Palm Beach Atlantic women’s basketball team is entering the season with a veteran roster. Head coach Carlos Palacio said the team will have seniors who have played for more than one year at PBA for the first time in four years. “It’s really important in terms of leadership,” he said. Palacio said the seniors understand the coaches’ expectations and are able to mentor younger athletes as they set standards for them. “The leadership and example they set on the floor,” Palacio said. “We can’t model that in practice every day.” Eleven of 12 players from last season returned to play this year. The team recruited an additional five players, with only two freshmen. According to returning senior Kimmi McIntosh, returning players are already familiar with the team’s playbook, eliminating time needed for teaching. “They’re more in tune to the college game,” she said. Returning senior Mallory Motycka said that they are closer as a team this season. The players’ familiarity enables the team to channel a chemistry
unique to this season’s roster. “Now we have a roster where we’re not starting from scratch,” Palacio said. McIntosh agreed. She said the team did not have to worry about creating chemistry because most of them were already teammates. “They get along great,” Palacio said. “They spend a lot of time together off the floor, which is not always easy to do, because [the team] spends so much time together [during the] season.” A team trip to Costa Rica before school started molded the chemistry among the players. According to Palacio, the team had the opportunity to travel to the island nation to both serve on a mission trip and explore as tourists. The players moved to PBA on Aug. 1 and practiced together for 10 days before setting off on their seven-day trip. Palacio said the time they spent together before school resumed fostered a sense of community among the team. McIntosh agreed. She said that being a team since the beginning of August, instead of beginning practices Oct. 15 like other teams, gave the players a head start in nurturing their team chemistry. According to McIntosh, their goal is to resolve all potential issues among teammates now,
Palm Beach Atlantic women’s basketball team is returning 11 of 12 players from last year’s roster. Photo courtesy of PBA Athletics.
so problems do not surface later once the season begins. She said her hope is that the foundation they built before the season will give them an edge in the upcoming season.
“I can already see it transpiring,” McIntosh said. The team’s home opener is Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. against Eckerd College, while their season begins on the road against Clayton State
University during the B.J. Ford Classic in Savannah, Ga., Nov. 13. For the team’s full schedule, visit pbasailfish.com.
Sports
Monday, October 19, 2015
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Palm Beach Atlantic golf teams use fall to prepare for the spring
New players look to propel programs to the future By Aaron Broghamer Staff Writer The Palm Beach Atlantic golf program is young in age, but keeps up with more mature programs. The men’s team experienced a 10-year hiatus before returning in 2013, while the same year was the inaugural season for the women. Both teams are preparing for their spring season, with a rigorous fall preseason schedule. “Our fall schedule is just as tough as our spring schedule will be in terms of competition level,” junior Benjarong Murray said. The men’s team added six new golfers last season. Head coach Craig Watson said he believes these players are a good building block for the upcoming seasons. Last year sophomore Trent Harris played above expectations by continuously finishing with high scores for freshmen. He recently shot a 160 over two days in the Jay Jennison Memorial Tournament, while freshman Ryan Fowler shot a 76 in day one of the tournament, followed by a 74 in day two. Murray said he looks to continue to lead the team in the approaching season. His average score of 76 was among the top of the program.
The Palm Beach Atlantic men’s golf team travels to Orlando, Fla. for the last tournament Oct. 25-27. The women’s golf team travels to Dade City, Fla. for their last tournament of the fall Oct. 18-20. Photo courtesy of PBA Athletics.
The men’s golf team plays in four tournaments during the fall preseason. “The team wants to prove that we have what it takes to compete in the toughest Division II conference in the country for golf,” Murray said. “We have a lot of young players who will develop this year into competitors that other teams should watch out for.” The women’s team is also preparing for the upcoming season. Watson, also the women’s head coach, said the team will par-
“We have a lot of young players who will develop this year into competitors that other teams should watch out for,” Ben Murray said.
ticipate in three fall tournaments, highlighted by the Guy Harvey Invitational in Palm Beach Gardens Oct. 11-13. Lead by junior Hayley Betz and sophomore Michelle Turner, the team added five freshmen. Hayley Betz joined the team as a freshman during its inaugural season. “Even though we had upperclassmen on the team, none of us had played college golf, so we were all learning,” she said. In the women’s second tourna-
ment of the fall, they finished fourth out of nine teams in the Webber International Invitational in Lake Wales, Fla. “With five freshman, that makes up a majority of our team” Betz said. “I expect myself to hopefully teach them.” Even though it is her sophomore year, Michelle Turner will be the second oldest player and is looking to assist Betz in team leadership. “It is kind of a unique position to be in, but it’s also my personality to lead other people,” Turner said. “I also have a lot of expectations in myself to improve my personal game.” The freshmen do not see themselves at a disadvantage. Freshmen Tracy Peyton and Katie Humphreys led the team in their second tournament. “We expect to play, and we expect to qualify for tournaments,” Peyton said. While golfers are scored on their individual performances, the team believes teamwork is still important, which is something they lacked last season. “I would love to grow more as a team this year, that’s something we missed out on last season,” Turner said. “This year, I feel like the men and women have done a good job of holding each other accountable and want to be better teammates.”
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