Whartenby hired as new golf coach

By Leo D. Rommel

In only two years, the pupil has become the mentor.

On August 6, hometown hero Bob Whartenby of Lawrenceville was named the new head
coach of the golf team. A 2004 graduate of Rider, Whartenby’s qualifications include a spectacular undergraduate career at Rider as well as two years as an assistant coach under former head coach Chet Dalgewicz, who recently retired from his golf duties following 12 years of work.

Whartenby, 24, acknowledges that following in his mentor’s footsteps is beyond amazing, particularly at his age.

“When they were looking for coaches to succeed Chet, I thought my only downfall would be my age,” said Whartenby. “Most coaches are older when they start out. I’m much younger. It’s tough following in Chet’s footsteps. But I’ve been here awhile. I know the general idea behind the program.”

According to Dalgewicz, careful consideration was put into the hiring of a new coach by Athletic Director Don Harnum, who personally went to him for advice. Dalgewicz was more than happy to promote Whartenby.

“He’s a natural,” said Dalgewicz, who was named 2006 MAAC Golf Coach of the Year.

“He’s well respected on campus. He’s well-known around the state. He knows the program. I think [Harnum] made an excellent choice in hiring him.”

Highly recruited by Seton Hall and Rutgers following a superb high school career that included a Group 3 State Championship in 1999 and the Mercer County Tournament Championship in 2000, Whartenby lived up to expectations upon his arrival at Rider. In four years, he was a three-time All-MAAC golfer and the first golfer in school history to break 70 in a game.

Furthermore, he was as a three-time team captain, the Vice President for Rider’s Student Athlete Advisory Council and the recipient of the Ed Eget Scholarship for outstanding achievement in both academics and athletics.

As a senior, Whartenby led Rider to a best-ever ranking of 10th in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the fall of 2003, and in the spring of 2004 led Rider to a fifth place finish in the MAAC Championships when he placed fifth overall among the 45 competing golfers.

As both a sophomore and a junior, Whartenby lead Rider to fourth place finishes at the 2002 and 2003 MAAC Championships.

Whartenby’s coaching resume thus far includes a 12th place finish in the Colgate Invitational on September 10 and a first place finish at the Bucknell Invitational on September 16, the second of which was won by an astonishing 16 strokes.

“It’s a funny feeling,” Whartenby said. “Some of these guys I coach, I was their teammate not too long ago. Now I’m their coach. I always try to remain professional with them, but I can’t help but to bond with them too. I think that connection will help me in the long run.”