Goldfaden a source of leadership for M. Golf

Senior Rob Goldfaden and the Quakers head to the lehigh Invitational. For Rob Goldfaden, senior captain of the Penn men's golf team, the squad is his "fraternity." Golf and friendship are the pillars on which he stands. For more than three years, Goldfaden has spent a substantial amount of time on the golf course, both practicing and competing. While at Penn, he has contributed to seven tournament wins. But in addition to leading his fellow golfers to victory, Goldfaden plays a greater role. "He's definitely our leader -- guys look up to him," Penn coach Francis Vaughn said. "He was here when things weren't so easy. "Goldfaden has grown while at Penn. Through golf, as well as through academics, Goldfaden has learned a lot about people, as well himself." After playing golf at Penn for as long as he has, Goldfaden said he believes that it is his time to use his experience to help others. "I know what it's like," he said. "I look out for everybody on the team. It is not so much an obligation, but more of a desire." Goldfaden loves the players on his team. He encourages each to play well not only because he cares about the player as an individual, but also because he cares so much about the team. This is his fraternity. What about life after collegiate golf? Well, Goldfaden, as talented a golfer as he is, is still undecided. An American History major, he does not know yet what he wants to pursue. "I've always dreamed to play professional golf," he said. "But there comes an extraordinary time commitment, eight to 10 hours of practice a day. I don't know if I'm ready to make a commitment." However, Goldfaden said that golf would be "part of my life forever, whether I pursue it after college or not." Every fall and spring, Goldfaden has devoted his time to collegiate golf, making the daily trek out to the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Penn's home course. But he has no regrets. "I wouldn't give up this experience for anything," he said. Goldfaden will be leading his troops into battle this weekend on the course at the Lehigh Invitational in Center Valley, Pa. The Quakers have won this tournament each of the last three years. "We expect to win," Goldfaden said. "But we haven't played in three weeks." Three weeks ago, the Quakers had one of their most impressive victories at the Georgetown Invitational, shooting two under par and winning the event. "We are capable of shooting under par all of the time," Goldfaden said. "The course that we will be playing is challenging? but not difficult." The Quakers will be facing off against a moderately tough field. Seventeen teams will be competing; among others, Lehigh, Rutgers, George Washington, Princeton, St. John's and Villanova will be in attendance. Penn will have to overcome a strong Rutgers squad. The Scarlet Knights are fresh off a win in their own Rutgers Tournament last week. "I think we can play well. The guys have been practicing well," Vaughn said. "Last tournament was a very emotional win -- but it was a month ago." Vaughn, Goldfaden and the rest of the team are going to have to successfully navigate a unique golf course to come home with a win. The Nike Tour plays the Center Valley open at the same course Penn is playing this weekend. The course has two unique nines: the front is a links-style course with few trees and hills, the back is an "American" style nine with streams, woods and small creaks. A Quakers victory this weekend would make four wins in four consecutive years at this tournament. More importantly, it will be two wins for this season, and two wins in a row. If Penn is going to conquer the Ivies this spring, this is exactly the start the Quakers had in mind.