"SUNY Delhi was an easy choice for me to help guide me towards the process of becoming a PGA Professional. Delhi was the perfect fit in size, academics, athletics and proximity to home back in Albany. Delhi allowed me to get a Bachelor's degree in Business, while also focusing on my career as a future golf professional with golf-oriented classes. I am beyond thankful for the time I spent at Delhi and the lasting friendships I made."
~ Justin Hearley '12 | Men's Golf | Business & Professional Golf Management
DELHI, N.Y. (February 12, 2019) – The SUNY Delhi men's golf team has already a lot to be proud of as they begin their first spring season as NCAA Division III members. This past fall, the Broncos wasted no time welcoming themselves to their new NCAA conference in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), with sophomore Daniel Christy winning the conference championship and the team finishing second overall. The Broncos also boasted a second-place national finish at the USCAA Championships.
In addition, the College Golf Course at Delhi is currently undergoing changes, with a complete renovation of the clubhouse to make way "for a state-of-the-art venue for a student-operated pub, restaurant, and event space to be named Bluestone." The year-round restaurant will be operated through the college's distinguished hospitality management and culinary arts programs, and is estimated to be open this fall. READ MORE
Men's golf head coach Dave Arehart has plenty to be proud of in his 21 years leading the program. Most, if not all, of his golfers competed for SUNY Delhi while working their way to a degree from the college's Business & Professional Golf Management or Golf & Sports Turf Management programs.
Alumnus Justin Hearley has been one of these shining examples. A 2012 Cum Laude graduate, Hearley currently is the first assistant at the Normanside Country Club in Delmar, NY. He received his PGA membership in the summer of 2015, coincidentally the same day as fellow SUNY Delhi alumnus and college roommate Ian Kelley. Hearley's talents have brought him equal success on the tournament scene, including racking up four wins during the 2018 season.
Justin Hearley in his own words:
"My first win of the year was our annual Pro-Pro Tournament where I teamed up with my good buddy Scott Battiste to shoot -7 at Orchard Creek in a best ball format. I shot -4 on my own ball. My second win of the year was on June 18, where I picked up my first individual win of the year shooting a -1 (69) at Saratoga Golf and Polo, which is one of the oldest golf courses in America.
I went on to the NENY Assistants Match Play Major Championship where I had to win two matches on the same day to take home the win. The first match I won 8 and 7, meaning it was over on the 11th hole. My second match I went into a small rut with 4 bogies in a row, but made 3 birdies shortly thereafter and ended up finishing that match winning 4 and 3, ending it through 15 holes, one over par for the day.
Lastly, I teamed up again with Batiste in September to win the Triple Play Pro-Pro, which is 27 holes with three different formats, our second time winning the tournament in four years."
Hearley competed all four years on the SUNY Delhi golf team, racking up numerous second-place and top-five individual finishes, and the team winning "upwards of 20 tournaments" during his career. He finished fourth at the AII (NAIA) Championships his sophomore year to earn all-conference, was a NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete his junior and senior years, and received Coach Arehart's Coach's Award his senior year.
"The golf team was a main focus of mine upon committing to SUNY Delhi over other colleges I had applied to," said Hearley. "Tryouts were overwhelming my freshman year with over 60 players trying out for only a handful of spots. I was fortunate enough to make the team as a freshman and continued to play collegiately for Delhi all four years. Dave Arehart was an amazing coach and still a very close friend of mine. He helped me grow not only as a player but as a leader as well throughout my tenure at college. My accomplishments as a player now are only possible because of my collegiate career and Coach Arehart guiding me down the right path. I had great teammates throughout my time at Delhi and a constant coach in Dave to go to for help and advice."
