Cleveland, TN
08-26-09, 12:23 PM
http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-3884672486732528647/northeast-ohio-high-school-boys-golf-preview/
Northeast Ohio high school boys golf preview
Pat Galbincea, Plain Dealer Reporter, August 25, 2009 11:36 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alex Andrews, Jr., Gilmour Academy: Certainly one of the best players in the state, he opened the season with a 71 at Hemlock Springs. Tied for fourth in the state in Division III with rounds of 77-76 on the Players' Course at Foxfire and shot 76 in the district at Seven Hills - and coach Charles Tremont said Andrews has improved.
Nick Blackburn, Sr., Lutheran West: Has played a national junior golf schedule this summer, competing in six different states. Completed his summer tour with a top-20 finish in the AJGA Randy Wilde in Grand Blanc, Mich., with rounds of 73-73-77. Also opened the high school season as medalist in the Medina Invitational with a 1-over 72 at Shale Creek that included five birdies.
John Forsythe, Jr., CVCA: Has been on fire this season, starting with a 70 at Silver Lake Country Club to win medalist honors in the CVCA Invitational. He's been to state before, and if he keeps playing this way, will get there again.
Kyle Kmiecik, Sr., St. Ignatius: Likely the area's best senior, the Mississippi-bound standout was an All-Ohio golfer last year and averaged 76.0 strokes for 18 holes. Very steady player.
Andrew Northeim, Sr., Firelands: Won medalist honors last year in the Division II district at Windmill Lakes with a 3-over 73, then had his worst rounds of the season at state on the Ohio State Scarlet Course (85-85), where everyone normally struggles. He said he owes that course a payback.
Austin Schreiber, Soph., Medina: He's had such a good summer his laurels are too long to list, but take our word . . . he's one of Ohio's best young talents. Was already scouted by college coaches at the St. Ignatius Invitational.
Scott Smith, Jr., University School: Wonderful ball striker had two knee surgeries - first one in April and second in July - and the OHSAA will grant him use of a cart until he is healed. Tied for fourth in the state last season (78-76-154) and had 76.4 average for 18 holes. Has potential to be Preppers' best player ever.
Beau Titsworth, Soph., St. Ignatius: This close friend of Kmiecik has so far been posting lower scores than the Wildcats' No. 1 golfer. Not long off the tee, but very accurate and a good putter.
Jack Uecker, Sr., St. Vincent-St. Mary: A near-miss Division II All-Ohio golfer as a sophomore, he shot 83 at district last season. But this big, talented kid is itching to make a return trip to Columbus this fall.
Augie Ward, Sr., Walsh Jesuit: Built like a football player, Ward was hampered by a bad wrist and foot last season but has recovered nicely enough to win the Good Park Junior this summer. He also shot a 75 in the St. Ignatius Invitational at Red Tail, a difficult course.
TEAMSTO WATCH
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy: Two standouts in junior Jacob Forsythe and senior Alex Mosteller, both of whom have been shooting in the low 70s. The Royals were sixth in the state in Division II last season.
Lutheran West: This could be veteran coach Karen Wittrock's best team as all five players return from a group that won the Pine Hills sectional (315) and missed going to state by one stroke. Three seniors - Nick Blackburn, Louie Durban and Ben Lehrke - lead the team, but juniors Mike Clum and Jared Fristik are also solid. Only bad news is Lutheran West moved up to Division II by one student.
Medina: Two outstanding golfers - sophomore Austin Schreiber and senior Mark Maynard - will likely carry this team to state again, but sophomores Mike Bishop and Bobby Koch, and senior Kyle Smith are good, too.
St. Ignatius: Third in thestate in Division I last season, the Wildcats are likely to win their third state crown under coach Dan Hess and first since 2002. They whipped two pretty good teams - defending state champ Cincinnati St. Xavier and Dublin Jerome - at the Wildcats Invitational by shooting a lights-out 289. Two seniors and two sophomores lead this squad: The seniors are All-Ohio standout Kyle Kmiecik and Andrew Bailey, who was co-medalist with sophomore teammate Bo Titsworth at Red Tail with a 70. The other sophomore, Matt Gerard, shot 75.
Strongsville: After a couple of rebuilding years, coach Bill Cash has a good all-senior team headed by Cleveland State-bound Brendan Byrne. The Mustangs played respectably at the St. Ignatius Invitational (331) behind John Stefanik, Joe Osterfeld, Derek Husak and Ryan Wirtz, who was the Southwest Tour player of the year.
University School: The Preppers can win a fourth straight Division II state title if junior standout Scott Smith's ailing knee holds up. They'll also be relying on the "Grocery Boys" - seniors Jake Heinen and Mike Fazio - plus four good junior varsity players in juniors Andrew Domeck, a winner of two North Coast Tour events this summer, Will Reitan and Steve Kelly, and sophomore John Coughlin.
Walsh Jesuit: Warriors have a new coach in assistant Sharon C.C. pro Joe Denton, but their 311 score at the St. Ignatius Invitational is an indication the team has talent. Burly senior Augie Ward shot 75 and senior Sean Murphy a 79.
http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-1625340688748183713/four-things-i-think-about-the-boys-golf-season-pat-galbincea/
Four things I think about the boys golf season: Pat Galbincea
Pat Galbincea, Plain Dealer Reporter, August 25, 2009 11:44 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - 1. St. Ignatius' 2001-02 teams starring brothers Ted and Ben Smith, Tommy Wiegand, Dan Rush and Matt Busa were, in many experts' minds, the best high school teams this state ever produced. But Wildcats coach Dan Hess, who also coached those teams, says his current squad could be better. Considering what the Wildcats shot in winning their own invitational at Red Tail for the first time since 2002 - a blistering 289 - maybe Hess has a point.
2. I can't understand the Ohio High School Athletic Association starting the season one week earlier, Aug. 10, but then scheduling the state tournaments the third and fourth weekends in October - a week later than normal. That third weekend is always iffy in October weatherwise, and by playing the fourth weekend that month, the OHSAA is taking a big risk.
3. It'll be interesting to see how Division II boys fare at a new state tournament venue - the John Cook-designed Northstar Resort in Sunbury. Last year, Division III boys played on the Players Course at Foxfire in Lockbourne. University School, going for a fourth consecutive Division II team title, had grown comfortable playing the Ohio State Scarlet and Gray courses.
4. Walsh Jesuit lost a sterling young coach in Rob Wakeling, who after two years decided to take a job at his alma mater, Kent State, with coach Herb Page. But the Warriors were lucky enough to hire Joe Denton, a veteran assistant pro at Sharon Country Club.
Northeast Ohio high school boys golf preview
Pat Galbincea, Plain Dealer Reporter, August 25, 2009 11:36 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alex Andrews, Jr., Gilmour Academy: Certainly one of the best players in the state, he opened the season with a 71 at Hemlock Springs. Tied for fourth in the state in Division III with rounds of 77-76 on the Players' Course at Foxfire and shot 76 in the district at Seven Hills - and coach Charles Tremont said Andrews has improved.
Nick Blackburn, Sr., Lutheran West: Has played a national junior golf schedule this summer, competing in six different states. Completed his summer tour with a top-20 finish in the AJGA Randy Wilde in Grand Blanc, Mich., with rounds of 73-73-77. Also opened the high school season as medalist in the Medina Invitational with a 1-over 72 at Shale Creek that included five birdies.
John Forsythe, Jr., CVCA: Has been on fire this season, starting with a 70 at Silver Lake Country Club to win medalist honors in the CVCA Invitational. He's been to state before, and if he keeps playing this way, will get there again.
Kyle Kmiecik, Sr., St. Ignatius: Likely the area's best senior, the Mississippi-bound standout was an All-Ohio golfer last year and averaged 76.0 strokes for 18 holes. Very steady player.
Andrew Northeim, Sr., Firelands: Won medalist honors last year in the Division II district at Windmill Lakes with a 3-over 73, then had his worst rounds of the season at state on the Ohio State Scarlet Course (85-85), where everyone normally struggles. He said he owes that course a payback.
Austin Schreiber, Soph., Medina: He's had such a good summer his laurels are too long to list, but take our word . . . he's one of Ohio's best young talents. Was already scouted by college coaches at the St. Ignatius Invitational.
Scott Smith, Jr., University School: Wonderful ball striker had two knee surgeries - first one in April and second in July - and the OHSAA will grant him use of a cart until he is healed. Tied for fourth in the state last season (78-76-154) and had 76.4 average for 18 holes. Has potential to be Preppers' best player ever.
Beau Titsworth, Soph., St. Ignatius: This close friend of Kmiecik has so far been posting lower scores than the Wildcats' No. 1 golfer. Not long off the tee, but very accurate and a good putter.
Jack Uecker, Sr., St. Vincent-St. Mary: A near-miss Division II All-Ohio golfer as a sophomore, he shot 83 at district last season. But this big, talented kid is itching to make a return trip to Columbus this fall.
Augie Ward, Sr., Walsh Jesuit: Built like a football player, Ward was hampered by a bad wrist and foot last season but has recovered nicely enough to win the Good Park Junior this summer. He also shot a 75 in the St. Ignatius Invitational at Red Tail, a difficult course.
TEAMSTO WATCH
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy: Two standouts in junior Jacob Forsythe and senior Alex Mosteller, both of whom have been shooting in the low 70s. The Royals were sixth in the state in Division II last season.
Lutheran West: This could be veteran coach Karen Wittrock's best team as all five players return from a group that won the Pine Hills sectional (315) and missed going to state by one stroke. Three seniors - Nick Blackburn, Louie Durban and Ben Lehrke - lead the team, but juniors Mike Clum and Jared Fristik are also solid. Only bad news is Lutheran West moved up to Division II by one student.
Medina: Two outstanding golfers - sophomore Austin Schreiber and senior Mark Maynard - will likely carry this team to state again, but sophomores Mike Bishop and Bobby Koch, and senior Kyle Smith are good, too.
St. Ignatius: Third in thestate in Division I last season, the Wildcats are likely to win their third state crown under coach Dan Hess and first since 2002. They whipped two pretty good teams - defending state champ Cincinnati St. Xavier and Dublin Jerome - at the Wildcats Invitational by shooting a lights-out 289. Two seniors and two sophomores lead this squad: The seniors are All-Ohio standout Kyle Kmiecik and Andrew Bailey, who was co-medalist with sophomore teammate Bo Titsworth at Red Tail with a 70. The other sophomore, Matt Gerard, shot 75.
Strongsville: After a couple of rebuilding years, coach Bill Cash has a good all-senior team headed by Cleveland State-bound Brendan Byrne. The Mustangs played respectably at the St. Ignatius Invitational (331) behind John Stefanik, Joe Osterfeld, Derek Husak and Ryan Wirtz, who was the Southwest Tour player of the year.
University School: The Preppers can win a fourth straight Division II state title if junior standout Scott Smith's ailing knee holds up. They'll also be relying on the "Grocery Boys" - seniors Jake Heinen and Mike Fazio - plus four good junior varsity players in juniors Andrew Domeck, a winner of two North Coast Tour events this summer, Will Reitan and Steve Kelly, and sophomore John Coughlin.
Walsh Jesuit: Warriors have a new coach in assistant Sharon C.C. pro Joe Denton, but their 311 score at the St. Ignatius Invitational is an indication the team has talent. Burly senior Augie Ward shot 75 and senior Sean Murphy a 79.
http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-1625340688748183713/four-things-i-think-about-the-boys-golf-season-pat-galbincea/
Four things I think about the boys golf season: Pat Galbincea
Pat Galbincea, Plain Dealer Reporter, August 25, 2009 11:44 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - 1. St. Ignatius' 2001-02 teams starring brothers Ted and Ben Smith, Tommy Wiegand, Dan Rush and Matt Busa were, in many experts' minds, the best high school teams this state ever produced. But Wildcats coach Dan Hess, who also coached those teams, says his current squad could be better. Considering what the Wildcats shot in winning their own invitational at Red Tail for the first time since 2002 - a blistering 289 - maybe Hess has a point.
2. I can't understand the Ohio High School Athletic Association starting the season one week earlier, Aug. 10, but then scheduling the state tournaments the third and fourth weekends in October - a week later than normal. That third weekend is always iffy in October weatherwise, and by playing the fourth weekend that month, the OHSAA is taking a big risk.
3. It'll be interesting to see how Division II boys fare at a new state tournament venue - the John Cook-designed Northstar Resort in Sunbury. Last year, Division III boys played on the Players Course at Foxfire in Lockbourne. University School, going for a fourth consecutive Division II team title, had grown comfortable playing the Ohio State Scarlet and Gray courses.
4. Walsh Jesuit lost a sterling young coach in Rob Wakeling, who after two years decided to take a job at his alma mater, Kent State, with coach Herb Page. But the Warriors were lucky enough to hire Joe Denton, a veteran assistant pro at Sharon Country Club.