By Jamie Baker
Here are area golf preview capsules for teams in The Courier’s coverage area. We’re still missing a handful or so and we’ll try and get those rounded up by the beginning of next week...
The dates on the calendar may change, but there always seems to be one constant — Van Buren’s boys golf team is always one of the best in the Northwest District.
Look for the Black Knights to continue that trend in 2010.
Van Buren lost first-team all-BVC performers Addison Sterling and Andrew Bell to graduation but should still be solid with the return of first teamer Zeke Wiechart and second team all-conference selection Jude Palmer. Senior Colin Stacy is another player to watch for the Black Knights as he posted a 41.4 average over nine holes a season ago while helping Van Buren win Blanchard Valley Conference and sectional titles.
The Knights were just one spot short of a earning state tournament bid last year.
Arlington, meanwhile, posted a perfect dual match season and qualified for the district tournament as a team in 2009 but the Red Devils were hit hard by graduation as junior Wes Corbin is the team’s lone returning letterman.
An up-and-coming young Liberty-Benton team will also be one to watch in the Blanchard Valley Conference this season.
Ottoville is favored to defend its title in the Putnam County League. First team all-leaguer Kyle Karhoff is back for his junior year after recording a 41.0 average as a sophomore for the Big Green.
Fostoria St. Wendelin, third in the Midland Athletic League in 2009, is looking for a return trip to districts and returns its No. 1 player in senior Duncan Campbell.
Another team in the area to watch might be Upper Sandusky. The Rams boast one of the area’s top players in Ryan Courtright (35.5 average) while teammate Doug McKee had an outstanding summer golf season.
Other individuals to watch include Elmwood’s Kyle Smithey, Columbus Grove’s Matt Jennell and New Riegel’s Alex Acree, all of whom are returning district qualifiers.
The area did lose one golf program this season as Cory-Rawson, which has struggled to put a competitive team on the course for more than a decade, failed to find a coach to start the season and decided to drop the sport.
No information was available on teams from Bettsville and Lakota.
The postseason comes quickly in high school golf. The Division II and III sectional tournaments are scheduled to take place Sept. 30 at several sites scattered throughout Northwest Ohio.
Ada
Head coach: Mike Badertscher (14th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 4-24/ 10th in Northwest Conference.
HOME COURSE: Colonial Hills Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Matt Myers, sr.; Matt Gray, jr.; Ben Bailey, jr.; Ryan Gibson, jr.; Mitchel Boehm, jr.; Allen Jenkins, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ronnie Roberts, sr.; Chris Hartford, sr.
NOTABLE: Matt Myers is only senior letter winner returning. Myers, Matt Gray and Ryan Gibson are two-year letterwinners and will need to show leadership to jump-start Bulldogs.
Arcadia
Head coach: Kent Hamilton (1st year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 3-17/ 1-5 Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Lakeland Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Caleb Harris, jr.; Caleb Boone, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Shawn Burkmier, sr.; Hope Burns, jr.; Megan Donaldson, soph.; Alan Wiseman, soph.; Tanner Dean, soph.; Clay Hatfield, soph.; Josh Riegle, fr.; Maddy Burns, fr.
NOTABLE: With a young team coach Hamilton is looking for his team to improve as the season goes on.
Arlington
Head coach: Clint Dillon (4th year, 27-5).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 16-0/ 2nd in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Sycamore Springs Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNER: Wes Corbin, jr., 49.0.
TOP PROSPECTS: Sam Yates, jr.; Jake Garlock, jr.; Derek Randall, jr.; Kyle Marquart, soph.; Alex Steinman., soph.; Dexter Wilson, fr.; Tyler Starr, fr.; Robert Wise, fr.; Brittan Reichley, fr.
NOTABLE: Red Devils will be young and inexperienced. Marquart played in two varsity matches and Wilson has been a fixture on the junior golf scene the past couple years.
Bluffton
Head coach: Brad Prater (6th year, 121-18).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 7-12/ 5th in Northwest Conference.
HOME COURSE: Bluffton Golf Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Zach Krick, sr.; Clay Wannamacher, sr.; Anthony Schmidt, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ben Buroker, sr.; Tyler Carroll, soph.; Tyler Treen, soph.; Tyler Johnson, fr.; Joel Ritter, fr.
NOTABLE: Prater, who guided the Pirates to a state tournament appearance in 2006, returns after a two-year layoff. He hopes to rebuild the program and increase the number of players.
Carey
HEAD COACH: Martin Baker (2nd year, 4-12).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 4-12/ 9th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Bob's Countryside Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Corbin Blair, soph., 46.9; Lincoln Stansberry, soph., 47.5; Mason Tong, 47.9; Zach Baker, jr., 50.3; Joshua Vantrease, soph., 63.1.
TOP PROSPECTS: Russell Phillips, fr.; Devon Huffman, fr.
NOTABLE: There's just one senior and one junior on the Blue Devils' roster, but the team returns five lettermen.
Columbus Grove
HEAD COACH: Travis Gallmeier (3rd, 30-23).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 16-14/ 5th Northwest Conference; 3rd Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Country Acres Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Matt Jennell, sr., 42; Clay Bryan, sr., 44; Taylor Giesige, jr., 50; Brett Schroeder, sr., 52; Matt Silver, jr., 51; Jacob Roebke, soph., 55; Kody Griffith, soph., 55; Jeff Birkmeier, jr., 58.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nick Shroeder, fr.; Tony Koch, soph.; Blake Schroeder, soph.; Marty Stevers, jr.; Jordan Schroeder, soph.
NOTABLE: Bulldogs are loaded with their top eight players returning from a team that missed districts by 10 strokes. Jennell qualified as an individual for districts last season.
Elmwood
Head coach: Nick Wenze (2nd year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 4-2/6th in Suburban Lakes League.
HOME COURSE: Birch Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Josh Schnipke, sr.; Kyle Smithey, jr.; Dylan Torrey, sr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jeff Vanscoder, jr.; Clayton Mears, soph.; Kaleb Stieff, soph.; Alan Dyar, soph.; Travis Gonyer, jr.
NOTABLE: Smithey returns with second-team SLL honors.
Fort Jennings
HEAD COACH: Todd Hoehn (12th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 4th in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Delphos Country Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tyler Dray, sr.; Cody Warnecke, jr., Zach Schuerman, jr., Kurt Warnecke, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Alex Vetter, fr., Josh Wittler, fr., Nate German, fr., Lucas Leebreast, fr.
NOTABLE: Hoehn is looking for a solid season as all his top lettermen return from last year.
Fostoria
head coach: Charles Mason (8th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 6-14/8th in Northern Ohio League.
HOME COURSE: Loudon Meadows Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alex Roberts, sr., 38.0, Zach Pingle, sr., 39.1, Anthony Miller, sr., 40.0., Patrick Coe, sr., 41.0, Marcus Bradner, jr., 46.5, Cameron Garrett, sr., 47.3, Zach Leonard, jr., 48.5, Simon Cheu, sr., 47.7.
TOP PROSPECTS: Austin Cornell, soph., 47.7, Tony Reynolds, soph., 52.7, Dallas Salaz, soph., 52.0, Garrett Sferro, soph., 56.3, Markus Tucker, soph., 60.7, Collin Danner, fr., 54.7, Quinton Youngston, fr., 59.5, Cole Nye, jr., 43.
NOTABLE: Fostoria will have a solid nucleus in Roberts, Pingle and Miller who averaged 40 strokes or better last season.
Fostoria St. Wendelin
HEAD COACH: Dan Ritzler (8th year, 68-31).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 15-0/3rd in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Loudon Meadows Golf Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Duncan Campbell, sr., 40.3; J.D. Nye, jr., 45.7; Josh Kinn, jr., 48.6; Zeb Walters, jr., 49.3.
TOP PROSPECTS: Brett Frederick, jr.; Terrence Hoening, jr.; Jacob Ginnever, jr.; Kieran Campbell, soph.; Andrew Cockie, sr.; Nathan Marugg, jr.; Philip Streacker, soph.; Dalton Murray, fr.
NOTABLE: Campbell and Nye were both first-team all-MAL selections last fall.
Hopewell-Loudon
Head coach: Bob Maurer (6th year, 35-44).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 0-18/10th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Loudon Meadows Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kyle Frank, sr., 50.0; Joe Ranker, jr., 52.0; Hunter Kline, soph., 56.0.
TOP PROSPECTS: Aric Creeger, fr.; Nick Scaife, fr.; Nate Wilhelm, jr.; Eric Tanner, jr.; Jarid Gelinas, fr.
NOTABLE: Three returning letterwinners, lead by district honorable mention pick Frank, are expected to lead the way for the Chieftains.
Kalida
Head coach: Ken Schnipke (14th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 7-4/2nd Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Country Acres Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Logan Recker, sr.; Neil Recker, soph.; Cody Mathew, soph.; Austin Horstman, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Eric Kahle, jr.; Jarrod Stober, fr.
NOTABLE: Kalida will return four letterwinners and could be a tough competitor in the next couple seasons.
Leipsic
Head coach: Kevin Brandt (2nd year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 7-12/5th inPutnam County League; 5th in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Pike Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Spencer Selhorst, sr., 49; Troy Niese, jr., 49; Jason Niese, soph., 52.
TOP PROSPECTS: Cory Berger, sr.; Logan Selhorst, fr.; Brian Alt, sr.; Jacob Schroeder, sr.; Levi Haselman, sr.; Neil Haselman, fr.
NOTABLE: Vikings' Spencer Selhorst was a second-team all-Putnam County League selection a year ago.
Liberty-Benton
HEAD COACH: Steve Williman (3rd year, 11-12).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 7-4/3rd in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Sycamore Springs Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Andrew Kotey, soph., 41.8; Nick Curto, soph., 42.4; Ian Hoyt, jr., 43.7; Autin Ingleston, soph., 45.5; Jacob Dean, sr., 46.7; Rob Rucki, jr., 45.8.
TOP PROSPECTS: Brad Hoehne, soph.; Jared Neiling, fr.; Mitch Haan, fr., Jacob Allen, soph., Ryan Vorst, soph., Eric Mitchell, jr.
NOTABLE: Curto was first-team all-BVC last season and Ingleston and Hoyt were second-team picks.
McComb
HEAD COACH: Neil Schaublin (9th year, 47-50).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 6-6/4th in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Shady Acres .
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Andy Bishop, sr., 45; Jaden Thomas, jr., 45; Jacob Lanning, jr., 49; Mason Abbott, jr., 52.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nick Siferd, soph., Katie Rader, soph., Britta Fenstermaker, soph., Dalton Buck, soph., Logan Meares, fr., Taylor Reardon, fr.
NOTABLE: Panthers' four returning letterwinners have each earned two varsity letters.
Miller City
HEAD COACH: Dusty Pester (5th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 3-14/5th in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Pike Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Derek Griggs, sr., 48.1; David Rippetoe, sr., 48.2; Derek Kaufman, jr., 44.7.
TOP PROSPECTS: Heath Schroeder, jr.; Austin Lammers, fr.; Elizabeth Schimmoeller, fr.; Jared Fuka, fr.
NOTABLE: Kaufman could be a solid No. 1 for the Wildcats.
New Riegel
HEAD COACH: Michael Quinlan (4th year, 31-30; 9th season overall).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 16-5/ 6th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Seneca Hills Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Brooks Hall, sr., 44.6; Alex Acree, sr., 43.5; Brent Orians, jr., 46.7; Brady Hall, soph., 43.1; Timothy Reinhart, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kyle Ink, jr., Corey Williams, soph., Brandyn Reinhart, soph., Andrew Hohman, soph., Erin Reinhart, fr., Austin Lucius, fr., Lance Smith, fr., Nate Bowman, fr., Jake Dryfuse, fr., Robert Vershoor, fr.
NOTABLE: Brooks Hall, Acree and Brady Hall are expected to lead a New Riegel team that went 16-5 last season. Brady Hall was a second-team all-MAL pick, while Acree advanced to the district.
North Baltimore
Head coach: Eric Dysert (2nd year, 11-5)
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 11-5/ 8th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Birch Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Felicia Konrad, sr; Corey Povenmire, sr.; Corey Bean, soph.; Andrew Peters, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jacob Frost, fr.; Garrett Boyer, fr.; Justin Gazarek, soph.
NOTABLE: Peters earned second-team all-MAL honors last fall.
Ottawa-Glandorf
Head coach: Larry Burhart.
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 1-8/8th in Western Buckeye League.
HOME COURSE: Pike Run.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jacob Hermiller, sr.; Matt Hermiller, jr.; Jake Hashbarger, soph.; Ross Heringhaus, sr..
TOP PROSPECTS: Not available.
NOTABLE: The Titans lost all-WBL performer Michael Hanneman to graduation.
Ottoville
HEAD COACH: Jim Brown (8th year, 88-24).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 15-3/1st in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Delphos Country Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kyle Karhoff, jr., 41.0; Zach Weber, soph., 43.3; Travis Maag, jr., 45.8; Craig Odenweller, soph., 46.8.
TOP PROSPECTS: Derek Schimmoeller, soph.; Logan Kortokrax, soph.; Luke Schimmoeller, fr.; Matt Turnwald, fr.; Cory Honigford, fr.
NOTABLE: Big Green are young, yet experienced; Weber and Karhoff were first-team all-PCL selections a year ago.
Patrick Henry
head coach: Dave Follett (7th year, 53-53).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 11-5/ 7th in Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Taylor Booth, sr., 41; Jordan Tussinger, sr., 48; Tim Gerken, jr., 41; Jim Jacobs, soph., 45; Jacob Willford, soph., 44; Jake Shidler, jr., 50.
TOP PROSPECTS: Brett Schwiebert, jr., Patrick Rosebrook, sr., Erin Scoby, soph.
NOTABLE: Booth and Gerken, who qualified for the district tournament in 2009, averaged 41 strokes a season ago.
Riverdale
head coach: Mark Ruggles (10th year, 112-90).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 12-12/ 5th in North Central Conference.
HOME COURSE: Sycamore Springs Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Devin Dilley, sr., 39.
TOP PROSPECTS: Zach Bowman, soph.; Jordan Conover, jr.; Brett Shoenberger, fr.; Seth Thomas, soph.; Tyler Parsell, soph.; Lane Stewart, fr.; Ray Rose, fr.; Ben Book, soph.
NOTABLE: Dilley earned first-team all-NCC honors last season after compiling the third lowest scoring average. He was also a honorable mention all-district.
Upper Sandusky
Head coach: Graham Treadway (5th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 12-7/ 9-5 in Northern Ohio League.
HOME COURSE: Lincoln Hill Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ryan Courtright, sr., 35.5; Doug McKee, sr., 40; Daniel Newell, soph., 41.4; Eli Aubihl, sr., 41.5; Bryan Capelle, sr., 43; Alec Oney, soph., 46.
TOP PROSPECTS: Stuart Young, soph., 46.
NOTABLE: Courtright returns with first-team NOL and all-district honors. McKee was second team all-NOL.
Van Buren
HEAD COACH: Eric Heitkamp (9th year, 95-11).
CONFERENCE FINISH: 1st in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Red Hawk Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Colin Stacy, sr., 41.4; Jude Palmer, sr., 41.5; Zeke Wiechart, jr., 41.8; Josh Bishop, sr., 46.8.
TOP PROSPECTS: Michael Hummell, sr.; Levi Vogelsong, sr.; Luke Cole, jr.; Joe Claes, jr.; Tyler Smith, jr.; Alex Bleile, soph.; Mitchell Bayer, soph.; Brennon Swain, soph.; Robbie Sanders, soph.; Jason Saywer, soph.; Brandon Silver, soph.; Erik Glass, soph.; Chase Conley, soph.; Tim Mutcheler, soph.; Zach Smith, soph.; Sawyer Junge, fr.; Jimmy Irvin, fr.; Zach Hiris, fr.; Drew Patterson, fr.; Colin Causey, fr.; Tyler Clark, fr.; Mac Williams, fr.
NOTABLE: The Black Knights return a solid core of quality players and depth will certainly be a strength for Van Buren in 2010. They also play a demanding schedule which should help as well.