Providence College to Add Varsity Men’s & Women’s Golf Teams
Providence College has announced the addition of varsity men’s and women’s golf teams to their athletic program.
Both programs will be non-scholarship.
“Providence College is very proud of its rich tradition and success in varsity athletics. This is a special time for the College as we restore the men’s golf program and add women’s golf as a varsity sport. We look forward to competing in the BIG EAST with both our golf programs. Adding these two sports will create additional opportunities for student-athletes and allow them to experience all that Friartown has to offer,” said Athletic Director Steve Napolillo.
The Friars will begin competition during the 2025-26 academic year.
“PC has a long and proud history with Men’s Golf, and we are pleased to be able to restore the sport to varsity-level status which will put us on par with our fellow BIG EAST institutions. In addition, Women’s Golf has become extremely popular in recent years, and it made sense for us to add a women’s varsity team at the same time. I am excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for student-athletes in this sport, and I look forward to our first season of competition in 2025-26,” said Providence College President Fr. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P.
According to their press release, PC will conduct a national search for head coaches.
Women’s golf will be making its collegiate debut at PC during the 2025-26 campaign.
Meanwhile, men’s golf has a history of great teams, players and overall success.
History of Men’s Golf at PC
A Men’s golf previously was sponsored by PC from 1932-1934 and then again from 1960-2002.
During that stretch, the Friars won BIG EAST Championship titles in 1980 and 1993 and finished as runner-up on four other occasions (1979, 1983, 1985 and 1992).
The program produced six BIG EAST individual champions (Matt Zito – 1979, Bill Reardon – 1980, Andy Falcone – 1985, Shane Drury – 1986, Mike Ghelfi – 1992 and Marc Siewertsen – 1993) and 10 student-athletes earned All-America honors.
Eight Friar teams competed in the NCAA Tournament and 14 individuals qualified for NCAA match competition.
Providence College also earned 18 Rhode Island Championships and three New England titles.
PC was coached by Waldo Martin during the three seasons in the 1930s.
Golf returned as a club sport in 1947 with the legendary Joe Prisco ’49 & ’63 Hon., serving as team captain and coach from 1948-49. He returned to Providence College to coach the club golf team from 1953-1960 and stayed on as head coach when the program was elevated back to varsity status in 1960.
He spent the next 43 seasons as head coach before the sport was eliminated in 2002. He compiled a 403-119-1 record (record does not include the 1960 and 1962 seasons).
Prisco passed away on May 6, 2020 at the age of 101.