The Iona College Golf team is looking forward to being a more consistent and dominating team as they prepare for the crucial spring half of the 2012-2013 season.

Throughout the fall half of the season, the Gaels had a theme of being inconsistent.

They would get off to a good start, but fail to capitalize and drop down in the tournament standings. “Throughout the offseason we try to prepare ourselves condition wise,” said Coach Matthew Glovaski.

He and the team spent a month and a half during the offseason working on repairing faults and weaknesses.

“I think between that and our spring break, it will help us to be in better condition and [enable] us to put up more consistent stats,” he said. The Gaels will face new challenges this upcoming spring season as they will play in five new tournaments with different formats outside of the MAAC Championship that will take place on courses they haven’t seen before.

“The challenge for us is to be competitive, and hopefully this will prepare through and into the MAAC Championship,” said Glovaski. “Loyola has won five consecutive MAAC Championships and is the team to beat and have talented players, but I think if there is a year to beat them, this is going to be the one.”

Glovaski feels the team has tremendous potential and is confident they can make a run with this group, especially with a big senior class who are looking to finish off with a bang. Five seniors who experienced the MAAC Championship, including arguably the two best players in the MAAC, team captains Dylan Newman and Doug Hoppe, are going to be a big part of what the Gaels accomplish during the spring season.

“It certainly is fitting for them to go out with a MAAC Championship,” said Glovaski.

The presence of Newman and Hoppe does impact the team. “The rest of guys around them realize when they are playing well, they are capable of playing with anyone and have the confidence to succeed,” said Glovaski.

Newman has posted outstanding numbers during the fall season, probably the best performance in his career. No doubt he will ever forget the 63 he scored in the final day of the Hartford Hawks Invitational on Sept. 25 and being named MAAC Golfer of the Month in October.

Can he one-up it?

“He can,” said Glovaski. “In the couple of months since the fall, he has more variety and came into the spring better focused looking forward to finish off strong.”

Newman’s success will also encourage the team as they know their best player is playing to his ability, giving them a lot more confidence.

“Dylan is going to go down as the one of the best golfers in Iona [College] history. He has one of the best scoring averages in the MAAC Conference. He has the potential to go out everyday and play like [that 63]. He is just starting to catch his stride. He is going to have a better spring,” Glovaski said.

‘Three consecutive rounds and a team effort’ is the overall theme the Gaels hope to provide in and out every tournament as they aim for a MAAC title this upcoming spring. The golf team, in general, is confident and motivated to complete this feat, especially with five seniors who are looking to cap off their senior year as champions.

“We have a great group of guys who work so hard, are great in the classroom, and to be around,” said Glovaski. “We bring guys who work extremely hard and are extremely talented. I think we might make the school proud this spring.”

They would love some Iona support in their tournaments, although it is tough because the tournaments take place far from campus.

The Golf team commences their spring half of the season on March 31 at the Whiting-Turner Townson Invitational in Grasonville, Md.