The University of Scranton golf programs are set to compete this weekend at the 2026 Landmark Conference Golf Championships, held at Shawnee Golf Course. The championship will take place April 25–26 on the historic layout.
Admission to the event is free, with spectators welcome to attend while following championship guidelines, including remaining on cart paths and keeping a safe distance from participants throughout play. Visit the championship homepages linked below for more information.
- The Royals enter the weekend as one of the conference's top contenders, earning a second-place spot in the pre-championship poll behind Drew University, with Goucher College close behind in third. Click the championship homepage linked above to view the full pre-championship poll.
- Guided by head coach Ed Karpovich in his 44th and final season, Scranton brings championship experience with Landmark titles in 2023 and 2024.
- The Royals narrowly missed a third straight championship in 2025, finishing just one stroke behind Drew with a team score of 601 (+25).
- Scranton enters the championship at 8-0 on the season and has already captured one tournament title, winning the DeSales Invitational on March 27–28.
- At the fall preview, Scranton placed third with four golfers finishing inside the top 20.
- Richard Essen has been a key contributor this spring, earning Landmark Conference Men's Golfer of the Week honors twice while firing multiple rounds under par.
- Gehrig Shannon, a two-time All-Conference selection and 2025 First Team honoree, returns after another strong season of consistent play.
- Juliano Nieto adds another high-impact piece after earning 2024 Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors.
- Jack Novis is the most veteran member of the roster, having also competed on the 2023 Landmark Conference Championship team and previously earning Second Team All-Conference honors in 2024.
- Cade Kelleher has recorded the team's lowest round of the season with a 68 in a dual match against Wilkes University on September 27 and recently carded his first career hole-in-one during a practice round at Shawnee.
- Scranton was selected fourth in the pre-championship poll in a tightly contested field led by Catholic University, followed closely by Susquehanna University and Drew University. Click the championship homepage linked above to view the full pre-championship poll.
- Under the direction of head coach Ed Karpovich, the Royals return a deep and experienced lineup from last season's fourth-place finish.
- Lidia Marranca continues to be a consistent presence atop the lineup, earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors in both 2024 and 2025.
- Cassandra Weir adds veteran leadership after earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors in 2024.
- Mara Bilenski and Julia Downing add experience for the Royals and have shown steady improvement throughout the season.
- Marranca, Bilenski, and Weir each recorded top-25 finishes at the fall championship preview.
- The Royals carry momentum into the weekend with an 11-2 record in dual match play this season.
With both programs positioned among the conference's top teams, Scranton will look to leverage its experience, depth, and strong season performances as it competes for Landmark Conference Championship titles this weekend.
