SPRING PREVIEW: Bennett leads veteran Tiger Cub golf team

Led by Marian University signee Jake Bennett, the team’s only senior, Greencastle’s boys’ golf team is hopeful for an outstanding year.

The Tiger Cubs have already won the Northview Invitational this year as they begin their sectional title defense.

Other returning all-county players for the Cubs are seniors Blaise Hasty, junior Jaxon Parmley, and sophomores Conner Taylor and Kyle Tesmer.

Junior Josh Bomgardner and freshman Benton Parmley round out the squad.

“This is a very experienced team that is looking to improve on previous years’ success,” Greencastle coach Steve Paquin said. “We have been working throughout the fall and winter on consistency, hitting inside and putting on an artificial putting surface. This group is the defending sectional, conference and county champions, while losing only one dual or triangular meet during the season last year.

“Expectations are high for another successful season.”

The Cubs will also play tough matches or tournaments involving Terre Haute South, Danville, Northview and Edgewood.

“The spring weather has not been conducive for practice,” Paquin said. “But we have braved the cold, snow, and wind to prepare for the season. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will have good start to a potentially good year.”

Cloverdale

Clover coach Doug Wokoun, like all coaches, has seen early-season work to be limited.

“Generally speaking, we accomplished some important things,” he said after his team’s first meet this spring. “The lack of time on the course so far, and the inclement conditions we have encountered have slowed our efforts. We finished our last practice before the tournament in a pretty good snow squall, but our guys are showing pretty strong perseverance in coping with the obstacles.

“There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic after this effort, but we would all welcome some better weather this week.”

Senior Drew Boyette has been playing well for the Clovers, and the remainder of the squad has been up and down to this point.

Other team members are Tyler Harrison, Jason Miller, Wyatt Helterbrand, Josh Allen, Michael Holsapple and Cody Morris.

North Putnam

Second-year coach Earl Hall saw his young team learn how to manage the difficult sport and its many varied courses last year, and is seeing the benefits of that work this spring.

The Cougars defeated Monrovia in their only match thus far, and are proving to have benefited from their first year.

The team has eight players this year, compared to four last year.

Juniors Peyton Myers, Marcus Burdine and Kennith Knutti are the elder statesmen of the squad, while R.J. Batchelor is the team’s only sophomore. Joining the Cougars this spring are freshmen Brian Stewart, Kyren Long, Hunter Rudes and Dagan Everman.

“The class levels included on this year’s team provides the ingredients to grow a successful program,” Hall said, noting that three different grade levels are represented. “Short on golf experience, this team is long on spirit, enthusiasm, and team camaraderie, with a willingness to learn and get better.

Hall said the season will provide many challenges for this group of golfers.

“One thing that should help immensely is the fact that approximately 70 percent of its matches will be played at its new home course, Twin Bridges Golf Club in Danville. The many home matches will help boost the team’s confidence and aid in their learning curve as individuals and as a team.”

Coach Hall is counting on each of his players to provide “energy and excitement” and to be ready when their name is called.

Hall’s expectations for the team are to:

1. Play with intelligence, enthusiasm, and within their capabilities

2. Learn how golf is a game for a lifetime and it can create many great memories

3. Find fairways and greens while avoiding the traps and the water

4. Improve upon last year’s record

South Putnam

Greg Dean has taken over as head coach of the Eagles, and has senior all-county performer Tyler Hicks to lead his 14-player squad.

Other veterans for the Eagles are seniors Ryan Neumann and Justin Pitts and junior Thomas Fanning.

Sophomore Moritz Scholl and freshman Lee Haywood, a state finalist diver this winter, have also been playing in the team’s top six this spring.

Other players include juniors Lane Watson and Allen Plunkett, sohomore Levi Girton and freshmen Marcus Robinson, Brady Robinson, Nate Clearwaters, Evan Steffy and Zion Harris.