The high school golf season is underway and two area teams will be seeking return trips to the OHSAA state tournament.
Van Buren and Liberty-Benton earned trips to Columbus last season and both squads return a strong nucleus of golfers from last year's successful teams.
Eric Heitkamp has five returning letterwinners from last year's Van Buren crew that captured the school's fourth straight Blanchard Valley Conference title.
Zeke Wiechart, a four-year letterwinner and the Knights' top golfer at state last season, is back as is No. 4 man Sawyer Junge, a sophomore, who posted a 42.8 average.
Juniors Jason Sawyer (42.1), Erik Glass (43.7) and Brennon Swain (43.3) also lettered while playing against varsity competition with Van Buren's "B" team.
The road to state may be a little trickier for Liberty-Benton. The Eagles have six returning lettermen, including first team all-BVC golfers in juniors Andrew Kotey (39.38 average) and Nick Curto (39.88) and sophomore Jared Neiling (41.0), but the Eagles will be moving up to the Division II tournament for the first time in school history.
They will compete at the Division II sectional at Country Acres on Sept. 29 along with Lima Bath, Bryan, Coldwater, Fostoria, Kenton, Napoleon, Ottawa-Glandorf, Paulding, Lima Shawnee, St. Marys Memorial and Van Wert.
If the Eagles do grab one of the three district bids, they will have a definite advantage at districts, which will be played at Sycamore Springs, L-B’s home course. But only the top two district teams qualify for the Division II state tournament.
There are several other area teams to watch as well.
• Defending Putnam County League champion Ottoville has six returning letterwinners and is already off to a solid start. Kyle Karhoff earned medalist honors at the Delphos Tee-Off Classic on Monday as the Big Green combined for a 302 in its first match of the season.
• Kalida also looks strong as the Wildcats won the 20-team Allen East Invitational at Colonial Golfer’s Club on Tuesday. Kalida has four golfers returning who averaged 45 strokes or less last season, including first team all-PCL selection Eric Kahle.
• Despite the loss of four talented seniors from last year’s Northern Ohio League championship team, Upper Sandusky could be the team to beat in its new league — the North Central Conference. A trio of juniors, Daniel Newell, Stuart Young and Alec Oney, all return for the Rams who finished second to Eastwood in its first invitational of the 2011 season.
Below are golf preview capsules for each of the boys golf teams in The Courier’s circulation area.
Ada
HEAD COACH: Mike Badertscher (15th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 4-20/2-16 Northwest Conference.
HOME COURSE: Colonial Golfer's Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Matt Gray, sr.; Allen Jenkins, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Slade Downing, soph.; Connor English, fr.; Austin Dysert, soph.; Mitchell Boehm, sr.
NOTABLE: Gray was a first-team all-NWC selection last season and should be a solid medalist threat.
Arcadia
HEAD COACH: Andy Lyon (1st year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 2-13/6th Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Lakeland Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Caleb Harris, sr.; Caleb Boone, jr.; Alan Wiseman, jr.; Clay Hatfield, jr.; Josh Riegle, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Hope Burns, sr.; Megan Donaldson, jr.
NOTABLE: Redskins lost just one player to graduation, and Lyon hopes Arcadia, the smallest BVC school with golf, can win some more matches this season. Harris provides some consistent play at the top of the lineup while Hatfield was an honorable mention all-conference selection last season.
Arlington
HEAD COACH: Clint Dillon (4th year, 40-8).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 13-3/3rd in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Sycamore Springs Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Dexter Wilson, soph., Jake Garlock, sr.; Sam Yates, sr.; Tyler Starr, soph.; Alex Steinman, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Robert Wise, soph.; PJ Hatton, jr.; Steven Hatton, jr.
NOTABLE: Alex Steinman and Dexter Wilson each return after earning second-team all-BVC honors.
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Brad Prater (7th year, 141-30).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 19-12/11-7 & 4th in Northwest Conference.
HOME COURSE: Bluffton Golf Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tyler Treen, jr.; Tyler Carroll, jr.; Tyler Johnston, soph.; Joel Ritter, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Aaron Shaw, soph.; James Harrod, fr.; Rich Streicher, fr.; Bryce Johnston, fr.; Brayden Clymer, fr.; Jack Neff, fr.; Eli Runk, fr.; Tristan Bischoff, fr.
NOTABLE: Prater, who coached the team to a state tournament berth in 2006, has 12 golfers on the roster.
Carey
HEAD COACH: Martin Baker (3rd year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 6-7/7th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Bob's Countryside Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Zach Baker, sr.; Corbin Blair, soph.; Lincoln Stansberry, soph.; Joshua Vantrease, soph.; Russell Phillips, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Devon Huffman, soph.; Zach Boes, fr.; Grant Wentling, fr.; Michael Underwood, fr.; Seth Rehus, fr.
NOTABLE: Zach Baker is a three-year letterwinner and finished ninth in the team's season-opening tournament at Allen East. Coach Baker expects solid contributions from Carey's freshmen.
Columbus Grove
HEAD COACH: Travis Gallmaier (4th year, 71-31).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 26-4/2nd in Northwest Conference, 3rd in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Country Acres.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Taylor Giesige, sr., 45.0 stroke average; Matt Silver, sr., 47.0; Jacob Roebke, jr., 51.0; Kody Griffith, jr., 47.0; Jeff Birkemeier, sr., 50.0.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nick Schroeder, soph.; Tony Koch, jr.; Blake Schroeder, jr.; Jordan Schroeder, jr.; Clay Diller, jr.; Josh Tussing, jr.; Brandon Hoffman, fr.
NOTABLE: Columbus Grove has five of its top eight golfers back from last year's team that qualified for the Division III district. The team did lose three seniors so consistency will be a key to the Bulldogs' success.
Elmwood
HEAD COACH: Nick Wenzel (4th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 7th in Suburban Lakes League.
HOME COURSE: Birch Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kyle Smithey, sr., 39.0; Jeff VanScoder, sr., 45.0.
TOP PROSPECTS: Allen Dyar, jr.; Marc Day, fr.; Kayleb Stuff, jr.; Tyler Smith, soph.; Tyler Morlock, jr.; Clayton Mears, jr.
NOTABLE: With just two veterans it will be a rebuilding year for Elmwood in its first year in the newly-formed Northern Buckeye Conference. But Smithey will be a threat to win medalist honors in every Royals match.
Fort Jennings
HEAD COACH: Todd Hoehn (13th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 6th in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Delphos Country Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Cody Warnecke, sr.; Zach Schuerman, sr.; Kurt Warnecke, jr.; Nate German, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Josh Wittler, soph.
NOTABLE: Musketeers should be much improved. Kurt and Cody Warnecke were first and second team all-PCL last season.
Fostoria
HEAD COACH: Brian Oestreich (1st year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 7th in Northern Ohio League.
HOME COURSE: Loudon Meadows Golf Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Zach Leonard, sr.; Austin Cornell, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Colin Bernal-Danner, soph.; Trey Sander, jr.; Aaron Hinkle, jr.; Marcus Tucker, jr.; Garrett Sferro, jr.; Luke Leonard, fr.; Zendon Griffin, fr.; Dylan Stone, fr.
NOTABLE: Redmen will be in a new conference with a new coach. Ostreich takes over for Chuck Mason as Fostoria transitions from the Northern Ohio League to the Northern Buckeye Conference.
Hopewell-Loudon
HEAD COACH: Bob Mauer (7th year, 35-44).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 9th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Loudon Meadows Golf Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Eric Tanner, sr., 46.0; Joe Ranker, sr., 50.0; Hunter Kline, jr., 50.0; Aric Creeger, soph., 45.0.
TOP PROSPECTS: A.J. Burns, sr.; Anthony Affholder, jr; Jarid Galina, soph.; Bryan Schreiber, soph.; Garret Sendelbach, fr.; Bryce Gorrell, fr.
NOTABLE: Chieftains have already collected a runner-up trophy in 2011, finishing second to St. Wendelin at the Elmwood Invitational.
Kalida
HEAD COACH: Ken Schnipke (15th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 7-4 overall/2nd in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Country Acres Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Eric Kahle, sr., 45.2; Cody Mathew, jr., 44.3; Austin Horstman, jr., 45.3; Neil Recker, jr., 43.3; Jarrod Stober, soph., 50.5.
TOP PROSPECTS: Zach Erhart, fr.; Adam Langhals, soph.; Brady Mathew, fr.; Noah Verhoff, fr.
NOTABLE: Kalida returns five lettermen, including Kahle who was a first-team all-PCL pick last year.
Leipsic
HEAD COACH: Kevin Brandt (4th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 10-9 overall, 3-1 Putnam County League, 1-4 Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Pike Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Troy Niese, sr., 46.2; Jason Niese, jr., 45.7.
TOP PROSPECTS: Logan Selhorst, soph., Neil Haselman, soph., John Ellerbrock, soph., Zach Hoyt, soph., Alex Ellerbrock, fr.
NOTABLE: Troy Niese and Jason Niese return after earning first-team all-PCL. The Vikings feature only two upperclassmen.
Liberty-Benton
HEAD COACH: Steve Williman (4th year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 10-2 overall/2nd in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Sycamore Springs Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Andrew Kotey, jr., 39.38; Nick Curto, jr., 39.88; Austin Ingleston, jr., 42.75; Rob Rucki, sr., 43.38; Ian Hoyt, sr., 43.38; Jared Neiling, soph., 41.00.
TOP PROSPECTS: Brad Hoehne, jr.; Eric Mitchell, sr.; Mitch Haan, soph.; Parker Hoagland, jr.; Jacob Allen, jr.; Adam August, fr.; Caleb Russell, fr.; Nick Streaker, fr.
NOTABLE: Kotey, Curto and Neiling were all first-team all-BVC performers last season.
McComb
HEAD COACH: Neil Schaublin (10th season, 54-60).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 7-10/4th in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Shady Acres Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Mason Abbott, sr., 47.5; Jacob Lanning, sr., 46.4; Taylor Reardon, soph., 48.6.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ryan Adams, sr.; Britta Fenstermaker, jr.; Katie Rader, jr.; Logan Meares, soph.; Cody Franks, fr.; Anthony Thepsourinthone, fr.
NOTABLE: McComb will feature three players that averaged between 46 and 49 strokes last season as well as Ryan Adams, who lettered as a sophomore.
Miller City
HEAD COACH: Dusty Pester (5th year, 12-66).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 4-16/5th in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Pike Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Derek Kaufman, sr., 45.9; Hayden Schroeder, sr., 59.8; Elizabeth Schimmoeller, soph., 54.7; Jared Fuka, soph., 48.3; Austin Lammers, soph., 48.7.
TOP PROSPECTS: Cody Sheets, fr.; Corey Deepe, fr.; Devin Hoellrich, fr.; Damon Lammers, fr.
NOTABLE: Miller City will field a young team with only two upperclassmen.
New Riegel
HEAD COACH: Mike Quinlan (5th year, 72-35).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 11-3/3rd in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Seneca Hills Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Brent Orians, sr., 45.5; Tim Reinhart, sr., 44.3; Korey Williams, jr., 45.6; Andrew Hohman, jr., 44.9; Brady Hall, jr., 42.1; Brandon Reinhart, jr, 47.8.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kyle Ink, sr.; Aaron Reinhart, soph.; Lance Smith, soph.; Jake Dryfuse, soph.; Jared Coleman, fr.; Jordan Orians, fr.
NOTABLE: A top three MAL finish could again be in the cards for the Blue Jackets but toppling powerful Fremont St. Joseph might be a tall order. New Riegel is playing its home matches at an upgraded Seneca Hills Golf Course.
North Baltimore
HEAD COACH: Eric Dysert (3rd year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 10-7 overall/8th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Birch Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Andrew Peters, sr.; Corey Bean, jr.; Jacob Frost, soph.; Garrett Boyer, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Brock Boyer, fr.; Rachel Peters, fr.; Lyndsey Davis, fr.; Justin Gazarez, jr.
NOTABLE: Peters earned a spot on the all-MAL second team last season for the Tigers.
Ottawa-Glandorf
HEAD COACH: Tom Von Sossan (1st year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 10th in Western Buckeye League.
HOME COURSE: Pike Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Matt Hermiller, sr.; Jaylen VonSossan, jr.; Jake Hashbarger, jr.; Tyler Deters, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Carson Williams, soph.; Tanner Schimmoeller, soph.; Jacob Schroeder, jr.; Jeremy Gerding, jr.; Brad Siefker, sr.
NOTABLE: Von Sossan takes charge of the program from longtime coach Larry Burkhart. The Titans finished 14th in their opening tournament of the season Monday at Defiance.
Ottoville
HEAD COACH: Jim Brown (9th year, 109-35).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 18-1/ 1st in Putnam County League.
HOME COURSE: Delphos Country Club.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kyle Karhoff, sr.; Travis Maag, sr.; Zach Weber, jr.; Derek Schimmoeller, jr.; Craig Odenweller, jr.; Luke Schimmoeller, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Logan Kortokrax, jr.; Matt Turnwald, soph.; Ryan Kemper, soph.; Wesley Markward, fr.
NOTABLE: Ottoville returns its whole team that won the PCL a season ago and advanced to the district.
Patrick Henry
HEAD COACH: Dave Follett (8th year, 68-57).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 15-4/ 7th in Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Pike Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tim Gerken, sr.; Brett Schwiebert, sr.; Jim Jacobs, jr.; Jacob Willford, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ian Melchor, sr.; Nathan Hoffer, jr.; Matt Rader, soph.; Aaron Tietje, fr.
NOTABLE: Gerken is entering his third season as Patrick Henry's top golfer. He was a district qualifier his sophomore year and was a second-team all-NWOAL pick last season.
Riverdale
HEAD COACH: Mark Ruggles (12th year).
HOME COURSE: Sycamore Springs Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Zach Bowman, jr.; Jordan Conover, sr.; Lane Stewart, soph.; Seth Thomas, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Luke Bowman, fr.; Conrad Corbin, sr.; Brandon Bowman, fr.; Ray Rose, soph.; Brett Schoenberger, soph.; Adam Conover, fr.; Mason Garmin, fr.
NOTABLE: Riverdale will field a more experienced team and Ruggles hopes continued practice with the short game will result in consistent scores.
St. Wendelin
HEAD COACH: Dan Ritzler (9th year, 80-32).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 12-1/ 6th in Midland Athletic League.
HOME COURSE: Loudon Meadows Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: J.D. Nye sr., 42.6; Josh Kinn, sr., 46.2; Zeb Walters sr., 47.4; Terrence Hoening, sr., 45.8; Brett Frederick, sr., 46.9; Kieran Campbell, jr., 44.1.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jacob Ginnever, sr.; Dalton Murray, soph.; Gabe Walters, soph.; Philip Streacker, jr.
NOTABLE: St. Wendelin will field an extemely experience team that features seven seniors. Nye returns as a second-team all-MAL pick and a honorable mention Northwest District selection.
Upper Sandusky
HEAD COACH: Graham Treadway (6th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 1st in Northern Ohio League.
HOME COURSE: Lincoln Hills Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Daniel Newell, jr., 41.0; Stuart Young, jr., 42.0; Alec Oney, jr., 43.0.
TOP PROSPECTS: Trent Howard, jr., 49.0; Joe Reile, jr., 55.0; A.J. Jacoby, sr., 52.0.
NOTABLE: Look for Upper Sandusky to contend for the North Central Conference title.
Van Buren
HEAD COACH: Eric Heitkamp, 11th year (102-9).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 8-0 duals/1st in Blanchard Valley Conference.
HOME COURSE: Red Hawk Run Golf Course.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Zeke Wiechart, sr., 39.9 avg.; Jason Sawyer, jr., 42.1; Erik Glass, jr., 43.7; Brennon Swain, jr., 43.3; Sawyer Junge, soph., 42.8.
TOP PROSPECTS: Joe Claes, sr.; Tyler Smith, sr.; Mitchell Bayer, jr.; Tim Mutchler, jr.; Zach Smith, jr.; Jimmy Irving, soph.; Zach Hiris, soph.; Drew Patterson, soph.; Colin Causey, soph.; Tyler Clark, soph.; Mac Williams, soph.; Aaron Franklin, soph.; Wade Schimmoeller, fr.; Aaron Scasny, fr.; Britton Jackson, fr.; Kyle Bishop, fr.; Noah Fairson, fr.; Evan Schuh, fr.; Thomas Wolfod, fr.; Jake Gilliland, sr.
NOTABLE: Van Buren has dominated the BVC in golf, winning four straight league championships and claiming the crown in 14 of the 23 years there has been a BVC tournament. Wiechart will be earning his fourth varsity letter after recording Van Buren's best score (173) and Junge was the Knights' No. 4 man (188) in last year's Division III state tournament.