Making BC3 history
BUTLER TWP — Antonio Baroffio became a part of Butler County Community College history recently.
The Butler High School graduate and BC3 sophomore became the first Pioneer golfer to win the Region XX Tournament title May 10 at the Latrobe Elks Golf Course.
He carded an 82-83-165 for the 36-hole tourney, finishing 21 strokes over par, but besting the field of 21 golfers.
“We had two beautiful days to play — but they were the only two beautiful days we've had in May,” BC3 golf coach Bill Miller said. “The rough was thick and the course was wet.
“The conditions were really tough.”
Baroffio concurred.
“They let the rough grow and it was thick,” he said. “If you missed the fairway, you had at least a bogey. The greens were hard, too, so the chipping was tough.”
Steve Rodgers won the state title in consecutive years for the Pioneers during the 1990s and finished second in the Region XX tourney. He is the college's highest previous region placer.
Baroffio carded a 77 in a match earlier this spring at Lake Arthur Country Club. Out of 11 scheduled matches from mid-March through May 1, BC3 managed to play only four.
“It's been an awful spring weather-wise, but Antonio is going back to the national tournament and I'm confident he'll do better than last year,” Miller said.
“He has a little more maturity and he's improved his game.”
Baroffio admitted that the poor weather has affected his game somewhat.
“The key to golf is practice and I've missed not being able to practice consistently,” he said. “The pros hit 1,000 golf balls a day. It hurts you when you can't get out there.”
The NJCAA Division III National Tournament is June 6-11 at the Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, N.Y. It is a 72-hole competition. Baroffio placed 43rd out of 100 golfers in the national event last year.
He placed sixth out of 30 golfers in the Region XX tourney a year ago.
“It will help me, having played the course last year,” Baroffio said. “The greens there are elevated and they're small.
“I'll know where to line my ball up off the tee a lot better this time around. I'm looking forward to a good round.”
Baroffio was an all-conference and all-state selection in 2009 and 2010.
Majoring in computer information systems, Baroffio is leaning toward moving on to Indiana (Pa.) University next year.
If he does, he likely will not be playing golf.
“I've talked to their coach and he's got a full roster right now,” Baroffio said. “I'm leaning toward IUP, but I'm not sure. I really would like to comntinue playing.”
A 2009 Butler High graduate, Baroffio advanced to the second round of the WPIAL Tournament his junior year.
