University of Connecticut Athletics
UCONN GOLF WELCOMES THREE TO PROGRAM
3/21/2021 10:48:00 PM | Men's Golf
UConn Athletic Communications / March 21, 2021
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's golf team will welcome three new student-athletes into the program – Eric Boulger, Vikram Konanki, and Trevor Lopez -- starting in the fall of 2021. All three have impressive golf resumes.Â
Boulger, from Walpole, Mass., currently attends Xaverian Brothers High School, where he has been a four-year varsity player and three-year golf team captain, helping the team win the 2018 MIAA State Championship and the 2020 Catholic Conference title.
"Eric come from a highly successful high school team," UConn Coach Dave Pezzino said "He and his teammates have won a lot of championships while at Xaverian. Â He also plays a demanding tournament schedule and is a tireless worker."
Boulger is a four-time Catholic Conference All-Star and is a former Catholic Conference MVP. In addition, he was the 2018 Massachusetts Pre-Junior champion, the 2018 Junior Ouimet champion, and had second-place finishes in the 2018 Optimist International Championship and the 2020 Nutmeg Open. Bolger was also named to the Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Teams.
"Along with the great golf program, the academics also led me into choosing UConn," Boulger said. "My goal is to play golf professionally, but if that doesn't work out. I know that having a UConn degree will allow me to be successful outside of golf."
Konanki hails from Newton, Mass., where he attends Noble and Greenough School, playing under Coach Jeremy Lovacs since seventh grade. He has been team captain for two years and twice received an All-ISL Award. He finished second in the 2019 ISL Kingman Cup and was runner-up for the ISL League MVP. In addition, he received the 2019 Noble and Greenough Varsity Award.
"Vikram is an outstanding student and golf team captain," Pezzino said. "He has played a strong junior golf schedule and I look forward to him bringing his leadership skills and work ethic to campus. He was an easy fit for our program just because he is hungry to learn and chase championships."
Konanki plays out of Woodland Golf Club in Auburndale, Mass., where he was Junior Club Champion three times and was the runner-up for the Men's Club Championship in 2019. He finished tied for fifth in the 2020 AJGA Golf Hub Championship.
"UConn has an extensive history of incredible athletics and I want to be a part of that culture," Konanki said. "Also, UConn's tournament schedule and being one of the best D-1 schools in the Northeast helped me make the decision to become a Husky. I feel very comfortable with Coach Pezzino and his ability to help me grow as a golfer."
Lopez is from Winchester, Mass., and Winchester High School, where he has played under coach Tom Walsh for four years. Lopez is a Division 2 Massachusetts State Champion and a Division 2 North Champion, who has led Winchester High to a D2 Massachusetts State Championship and twice to the D2 North Championship.
Lopez has virtually dominated his conference, twice named Middlesex League MVP, four times a Middlesex League All-Star, and twice the Middlesex League Shootout champion – also twice leading his team to the conference title and three times to the league's team shootout championship.
"I knew Trevor would fit in very well here at UConn when I got to see him play in a tournament in awful weather – he was fired up and ready to go," Pezzino said. "Like his two incoming teammates, he plays an extensive junior schedule and Trevor has had solid success as a junior. His work ethic will suit him well in Storrs."
Lopez, who was named to the Boston Herald All-Decade Team, is a three-time Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic choice, is also a four-time U.S. Challenge Cup champion. As a varsity basketball player, he helped Winchester capture the Middlesex League crown.
"I was drawn to UConn's culture," Lopez said. "I wanted to play golf in college with a tight-knit group of guys and for me, there was not a school that gave me a better chance to feel a part of a family than UConn. I have not suited up for the Huskies yet and I already feel like I'm part of the family."
The three incoming freshmen are well-acquainted and have played with and against each other for years.
"The unique piece to this class is that they are best friends and their future is extremely bright," Pezzino said. "I know their best golf is ahead of them. I'm looking forward to adding these hard-working, high-character and competitive young men to our group."
