Last season ended in heartbreak for the Columbus North boys golfers. The Bull Dogs tied for third in the Providence Regional, but lost the tiebreaker for the final state-qualifying berth.
North and Columbus East finished first and second in the Greensburg Sectional, and both teams will look to earn top-three regional finishes this year that would send them to the state finals. They will open their seasons today at the Seymour Invitational.
Here is a look at those and other area boys golf teams:
Columbus North
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All eight golfers who saw significant varsity action for the Bull Dogs return this season.
"If the kids do what they should do, we’ll be right there again at the regional and hopefully make it to state this time," North coach Doug Bieker said. "The seniors are going to have to lead a little bit, and if they lead how they’re capable of leading, I think we can do more than just get there."
Seniors Drew Smith was The Republic Boys Golfer of the Year last season, and senior Henry Kiel was a state qualifier as an individual. Seniors Jackson Kerber, Reese Moore and Cameron Ziegler also played in the regional.
Sophomores Jacob Niedbalski and Luke VanDeventer saw significant varsity action and played in the Conference Indiana Tournament, where the Bull Dogs finished third. Senior Connor Williams also played some varsity last season.
Freshmen Luke Schneider and Damon Gregory will look to make an immediate impact.
"Both of those two freshmen have shown early signs to compete and push the seniors from last season," Bieker said. "I do think we have a little more depth this year than in years’ past."
Columbus East
The Olympians have a new coach in Jarrod Pennycuff, a former football and track athlete at Noblesville. He takes over for longtime coach Tom LaBarbera, who remains as an assistant after leading East to a fourth-place finish in the Hoosier Hills Conference, a second in the Greensburg Sectional and a seventh in the Providence Regional.
Pennycuff inherits a small team with only six golfers out for the team.
"It’s going good," Pennycuff said. "It’s a small group, but these guys are working hard. Just the way they’re working, the outlook is pretty promising."
Sophomore Kody Reynolds was the sectional medalist last season and has fared well in junior tournaments in the offseason. Senior Mark Mayhew and juniors Adrian Adams and Leyton Erfmeier also return to the varsity.
Sophomore Cole Schaeffer has the inside track on the No. 5 spot. Junior Ethan Davis hopes to challenge for that spot.
"I think we’ll be able to compete," Pennycuff said. "How far we go will just be up to the kids and the work they put in."
Hauser
The Jets will look to improve on a third-place finish in the Mid-Hoosier Conference and an eighth in the Greensburg Sectional.
Juniors Sam Johnson and Ethan Wallace and senior Justin Stafford return from last year’s varsity. Sophomore Justice Gilliland, who played in a couple matches, is challenging Johnson for the No. 1 spot
Junior Keagan Miller likely will fill the other varsity spot. Freshmen Daniel Taylor and Ben Johnson will provide depth.
"We’re not going to shoot what we did last year because we had Justin Compton shooting around even-par," Hauser coach Mike Compton said. "But we’re working on the fundamentals."
Jennings County
Panthers coach B.J. Bingham has high hopes for this year’s team, which is coming off a fifth-place finish in the HHC, a third in the Madison Sectional and a 15th in the Providence Regional.
Senior Bryce Kirchner, who has committed to Vincennes University, missed qualifying for state as an individual by only two shots. Juniors Adam Leach and Joe Kelley also were full-time varsity players.
Senior Weston Miller and sophomore Zach Bingham also played some varsity last year. They are battling for the No. 4 and 5 spots with freshman Brett Silvey, while senior Samson Miller also could push for a spot.
"We have a competitive roster," Jennings coach BJ Bingham said. "We’re not as deep as I wanted to be early. Our 1-2-3 are pretty well set; 4-5-6, you can put them in a hat and shake them up. I think in general, this is going to be one of the best teams I’ve had the privilege of coaching."
Brown County
The Eagles return the Bloomington North Sectional medalist in senior Parker VanNess, who has committed to Marian University.
Senior Curtis Lookebill also returns from a team that finished sixth in the Western Indiana Conference and eighth in the Bloomington North Sectional. Juniors Peyton Proctor and Rex Watters saw some varsity action.
VanNess’ brother, freshman Cooper VanNess, figures to be in Brown County’s top five. But beyond that is a lot of inexperience.
"Our numbers are good," Brown County coach Brad Baughman said. "We have 14 guys out, but probably seven of those 14 have no prior golf experience or knowledge. I’m happy to have some freshmen out. We’re getting some interest, which I’m happy about. It’s fun to work with those kids and try to inspire them. You have about two months to kind of get it together and see what they can produce."
Edinburgh
The Lancers have five golfers to begin the season after playing most of last year with only four.
Senior Bladen Hancock was the top golfer on a team that finished fifth in the MHC and 12th in the Center Grove Sectional. Junior Noah Childers also returns.
The rest of the team consists of three newcomers — senior Jordan Myers, freshman Travis Jones and sophomore Parker Neuman, a move-in from Franklin.
"Bladen has come a long way and will be competitive in about every match," Edinburgh coach Doug Weddle said. "The others have been at practice, and they’re trying. I think they’ll get better as the season goes on because they’re fairly athletic boys."
South Decatur
The Cougars will field a team this season after not having one last year. School Resource Officer Pat Richards is the new coach.
Senior Nick Bales, who played as a sophomore, looks to be the leader of the team. Senior Garrett Bates is the only other upperclassman.
The rest of the team consists of three freshmen — Evan Wullenweber, Grant Vannatta and Tyler Hibbard.
"We’re pretty young," Richards said. "We’re glad to have a team. We’re going to set some goals, nothing too lofty. We’re just trying to build a program and hopefully get a consistent golf team at South again, and we’re hoping this is the start of it."
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars return four varsity golfers from a team that finished sixth in the Bloomington North Sectional.
Seniors Jacob Keith, Mark Shoemaker, Ryland Nierman and Josiah Foster are the returners. The will be joined in the lineup by freshman Jacob Sabotin.
Three other freshmen — Kade Hill, Caleb Williams and Preston Koevenor — will look to challenge for varsity spots.
"I think the seniors are starting to put things together," Trinity coach Greg Personett said. "They’re playing pretty decent, and they’re starting to bring the freshmen along, as well. I’m excited about this year."
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The 2019 boys golf schedules for Bartholomew County schools:
Columbus East
Today;at Seymour Invitational;9 a.m.
April 6;at Floyd Central Invitational;2 p.m.
April 8;at Shelbyville;4:45 p.m.
April 13;at Jennings County Invitational;9 a.m.
April 16;Jennings County;4:30 p.m.
April 27;at Bedford North Lawrence Invitational;8:30 a.m.
April 29;at Seymour;5:30 p.m.
May 2;Columbus North;4 p.m.
May 4;at Bloomington North Invitational;8:30 a.m.
May 6;at Madison;4:30 p.m.
May 14;at New Albany;5 p.m.
May 15;Jeffersonville;4:45 p.m.
May 16;at Batesville;5 p.m.
May 18;HHC at Madison;Noon
May 23;at Columbus North;4 p.m.
May 24;at Greensburg;4 p.m.
May 25;at Providence Invitational;1 p.m.
May 30;Bloomington North;1 p.m.
Columbus North
Today;at Seymour Invitational;9 a.m.
April 6;Hall of Fame Classic at Peru;10 a.m.
April 10;at Jennings County (with Providence);5 p.m.
April 11;Franklin Central;4:30 p.m.
April 13;at Evansville Mater Dei Invitational;1 p.m.
April 22;Bloomington South;4 p.m.
April 23;Bedford North Lawrence/Zionsville;4:30 p.m.
April 24;Hauser;4 p.m.
April 27;at Bedford North Lawrence Invitational;8:30 a.m.
May 1;at Franklin (with Center Grove);4 p.m.
May 2;at Columbus East;4 p.m.
May 4;at Bloomington North Inviational;8:30 a.m.
May 8;at New Palestine (with Shelbyville);4:30 p.m.
May 9;vs. Bloomington North at Timbergate;4 p.m.
May 11;at Zionsville Sollman Inviational;8:30 a.m.
May 13;Conference Indiana at Timbergate;9 a.m.
May 14;at Seymour;4:30 p.m.
May 20;at Greensburg;4 p.m.
May 23;Columbus East;4 p.m.
May 25;at Providence Invitational;1 p.m.
Hauser
Thursday;Brown County;4:30 p.m.
April 11;at Waldron;4 p.m.
April 15;Edinburgh;4:30 p.m.
April 18;North Decatur/Batesville;4:30 p.m.
April 24;at Columbus North;4 p.m.
April 29;Southwestern (Shelby);4:30 p.m.
April 30;Trinity Lutheran;4:30 p.m.
May 4;Hauser Invitational;9 a.m.
May 6;at North Decatur (with Edinburgh);4:30 p.m.
May 8;at Brown County;4:30 p.m.
May 11;MHC at North Branch;8 a.m.
May 16;at South Decatur (with Morristown);4:30 p.m.
May 22;at Indian Creek;4:30 p.m.
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