Freshman Aysen “Ace” Chancey of the men’s golf team was named LEC rookie of the week after the Tony Mariano Invitational in Barre, V.T.. In just his second collegiate match, Chancey shot +9 round of 80.
Chancey comes to Keene State from Bedford, N.H., where he also played for his high school team. His interest in golf began going into his freshman year. “I started playing golf the summer before my freshman year in hopes of making the high school team. A lot of my friends were in the game and so was my dad. They encouraged me to start playing and I fell in love with the game instantly,” said Chancey.
With this being just the second year of the program, it’s important to find good young talent who are constantly looking to improve. Head coach Jeffrey Timmer believes he has found just that in Chancey. “As we grow our golf program, we are looking for golfers that want to work hard to improve, are great teammates, and never give up on the course. So far, Ace has shown that he is all three. As he continues to grow in his role on the team, he will continue to get better and more relaxed on the course,” said Timmer.
Chancey says he chose Keene State over other schools for a variety of reasons, two of which being the proximity to home and the coach. “Coach Timmer was also a big influence in getting me here. He promised me an opportunity to be able to come out here to compete and improve,” said Chancey. So far through the short season, it appears as though he has been able to do just that.
As much as golf can be seen as an individual game, at the college level it is still a team sport, and that is not lost on the young freshman. When asked about his personal and team goals for the season, he has a simple answer: “We’re here to win.”
Chancey is not the first Keene State freshman to receive LEC honors. Last season Caden Capaldo was named rookie of the year and it looks like Chancey will be in the running to carry the torch and keep the award in Keene. “I am hoping that this is just the start for Ace, and he can become the rookie of the year this year. Maybe we can make it a tradition at KSC,” said Timmer.
The Owls will have one more match at Rhode Island College before hosting the Keene State Invitational on Friday, September 29 at Keene Country Club.
Cal Thompson can be contacted at
cthompson@kscequinox
