AMCC 25TH ANNIVERSARY THEN & NOW SERIES: TOM KOHELE, PENN STATE ALTOONA

The Penn State Altoona golf program has been a central part of the life of Tom Koehle, from his playing days with the Lions in the early 2000s to his coaching career with the team that began shortly after his college graduation.

In the 2000 and 2001 seasons, Koehle was a student-athlete during the first two years of the Penn State Altoona’s men’s golf team’s existence as an NCAA Division III program within the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. He was named the Lions’ Most Valuable Player in 2001 and was an All-AMCC selection that fall. Koehle’s 2001 season was also highlighted by a first place individual finish in the Mount Aloysius Invitational, as well as a runner-up finish at the La Roche Invitational. Koehle went on to graduate from Penn State in 2003 with a degree in Secondary Education.

“When we started the golf program at Penn State Altoona, it was a great way to enhance my college experience. I was able to develop many great friendships within my team, and with some of our rival schools,” said Koehle. “I still see Josh Haas of La Roche from time to time, and we reminisce about our playing days. I think the AMCC and Division III golf provides a great opportunity for healthy competition and interaction with so many golfers from many different backgrounds. Social media has made staying in touch with teammates and competitors so much easier. It is great to see the success that many have gone on to achieve.”

Koehle has countless fond memories from his playing days as a Division III student-athlete, including two of his best performances on the course as a player for Penn State Altoona.

“My most enjoyable memories just came from being a member of the first team when golf was re-established, and we had a great group of guys who enjoyed being around the game of golf and loved Penn State. I had no idea that it would lead to coaching and impacting our program over the next 20 years,” Koehle stated. “I can’t help but think about my last two collegiate events, winning Mount Aloysius’ event by eight shots in what may have been – and still is – one of the best competitive rounds I have ever played. I took that momentum to Wildwood at La Roche’s tournament and had a great dual with Adam Langford. It was his home club, on top of being LRU’s home course. We both played great that day, but I three-putted the 15th green. He ultimately won by one shot, but I was proud of how I hung in with him. He was a great player for LRU.”

Koehle returned to Penn State Altoona soon after the end of his college career, as he was hired as the head coach of the Lions’ golf program in 2004. Since then, Koehle has spent a total of 16 years at the helm of Penn State Altoona golf, guiding the men’s team to five AMCC Championships and five NCAA Division III national tournament berths during his tenure. He has also been the coach for five AMCC women’s golf individual title wins, accomplished by four different Penn State Altoona women’s golfers.

The Then & Now Series is part of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference’s 25th anniversary, where the conference will be recognizing current AMCC coaches and/or athletic administrators who are former AMCC student-athletes. The Then & Now Series will run every Tuesday throughout the academic year.