Giancola Signs Four to Men's Golf Team

Central Connecticut men's golf head coach Kevin Giancola has announced four freshman signees for the 2013-14 season.  The Blue Devils will welcome four new faces to a team that will look to improve on their seventh place Northeast Conference Tournament finish in 2013.

BRYANT BOLDEN - Mokena, IL/Lincoln-Way Central

Four year All-Conference Player and Sectional and State qualifier while at Lincoln-Way Central... Team MVP in his senior year, also honored as Outstanding Athlete of the Fall 2012 Season...Won the Southtown/Star Challenge for four consecutive years...Shot a career low 68 and won the Sizzler at Cog Hill Country Club while playing for the Illinois Junior Golf Association in 2012...Finished the Chick Evans tournament with a 69 and also won at the Medina Country Club...During his senior season, he won three times at the LaSalle Peru Invitationaland breaking a school record by shooting a 69...Over his high school career he averaged a score of 72.6, placed in the top-five ten times, and won 16 championships competing either in the IJGA, MAJGT, AJGA, or High School tournaments.

Bolden on CCSU: "I chose CCSU over many other universities.  The reasons were that the overall size and looks of the campus felt right. Also, the people who laid out a plan for success in the academic department made me feel  at ease and confident about my goals in my academic future.  Finally, the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Coach Kevin Giancola recruited me in a manner where he made me feel wanted and like I would be part of a real "family" team where I would fit.  His experience on the tour and as a PGA Professional Teacher sealed the deal.  I am excited to be a Blue Devil in the fall."

Giancola on Bolden: "I expect Bryant will step right in to the top-five and gain invaluable experience his freshman year, he is very talented and has a great work ethic."

MATTHEW MAHLKE - Poughquag, NY/Arlington

Played varsity all four years of high school...Helped the team to win their league each year at Arlington...Selected All-League and All-Section each year...Tied for second at the 2012 Dutchess County Coaches Invitational and finished sixth in the 2012 Metropolitan PGA Player of the Year standings...Placed in the top-10 in 13 of 15 events played in 2012 including 8 top-five finishes...Won six Metropolitan PGA events, finished tied for sixth at the 2012 New York City Championship shooting one over par, and finished tied for seventh at the 2012 New York Junior Classic shooting three over par.

Mahlke on CCSU: "I chose Central Connecticut State University because it seemed like a great fit for me, not only as an athlete but as a student as well.  The school has a great atmosphere, beautiful campus and such nice athletic facilities. From and educational stand point CCSU offered all of my possible majors and seemed to give a lot of opportunities for me to receive an excellent education.  Coach Giancola and I seemed to get along very well and I could tell that he would be able to help me a lot with not only my game but in life. Overall I am overjoyed with my decision and exuberant about the opportunity I have to play golf for and attend CCSU."

Giancola on Mahlke: "Matthew is a very dedicated player who like Nick will get better each and every year. I look forward to coaching him."

EDDIE HILL - Watertown, CT/Watertown

Shot a round-low score of 67 while at Watertown High School...Named All-Conference in High School...Member of the Connecticut team that won the New England Championship...Tied for first at the Junior PGA Championships and shot a 73 at the CTPGA Ryan Lee Memorial Tournament.

Hill on CCSU: "I chose CCSU because I wanted to play competitive college golf while getting a good education.  I knew immediately after touring the university that there was a real good sense of a strong community and I knew that I would fit in here.  During my visit with coach Giancola I was impressed by his vision for the golf program and his high priority for student-athletes to be successful in the classroom."

Giancola on Hill: "Eddie is a "diamond in the rough."  He played very well in last year's New England Juniors and has the ability to shoot low scores."

NICK DIREDA - North Oxford, MA/St. Johns

Number one golfer on a two-time High School Division 1 State Championship team...In 2011 and 2012, he tied for lowest round score on record at St John's High School, a five under, 31...Registered a low round score 66 (-6) at Pleasant Valley Country Club...Scored a 68 (-3) twice in his high school career...Tied for fifth at FCWT Newport National...Was the FCWT New England Open Qualifier Medalist shooting 68 (-3)in back-to-back years...Pleasant Valley Country Club Men's Club Champion at the age of 16...Tied for 11th at the Stan Trojanowski Northern Juniors, tied for eighth at the Computer Merchant Cup, and placed fourth at the Massachusetts Junior PGA Championship.

DiReda on CCSU: "Along with the opportunity to  build a career in finance through the Business School at CCSU,  I chose CCSU because I love the competitive and confident attitude among the coach and the players.  From the first time I made contact with Coach Giancola we jelled very well and found that we have many things in common. This is where I picture myself learning many things on and off the course. I am very excited to begin practicing with the team and winning some tournaments."

Giancola on DiReda: "I think Nick's best golf is ahead of him. I expect him to be a top-five player in his freshman year also."

Giancola on the recruits: "These four are the future of Blue Devil men's golf. When they join Monte, Connor, Jack, Kevin, and Matthew they will be a tremendous unit. We are very young and possess a great deal of promise and talent. I am really looking forward to the next four years."