2009 prep boys golf capsules

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

DeKalb

Head Coach: John Cordes (16th season)

Key Players: Andrew Morreale, senior; Cody Schmitt, junior; Garret Hall, junior; Mason Struthers, sophomore

2009 Outlook: DeKalb is experienced even with the loss of Trace Royer, a three-time state qualifier.

The Barbs won a regional title last season and have a good chance to have success in the postseason again, especially since the school moves from Class 3A down to 2A.

Cordes’ take: “I’m hoping we can contend for the conference title. By the end of the year, I would like to think we’ve put ourselves in a position to for a chance to win tournaments.”



Genoa-Kingston

Head Coach: Steve Stirlen (7th season)

Key Players: Bret Lucca, junior; Scott Suchy, senior; Chris Barthel, senior

2009 Outlook: The team will count heavily on Lucca, a sectional qualifier last season, who is hitting the ball farther this year and is an excellent putter. It will be tough for G-K to compete in the Big Northern with Byron and Lutheran, both state qualifiers last season.

Stirlen’s take: “Obviously we’re expecting a lot from (Lucca) and Scott Suchy. Realistically I’d like to be in the top part of the conference. Hopefully we can make a good showing.”



Hinckley-Big Rock

Head Coach: Todd Prellberg (4th season)

Key Players: Colton Craig, senior; Ryan Kaus, senior

2009 Outlook: The Royals will count heavily on Craig, a smart player who takes what the course gives him. The team will have to find low scores behind Craig and Kaus.

After having around 10 golfers during the program’s first year in 2006, Hinckley-Big Rock has 22 this year. Craig finished second to start the year at the Bobcat Invite.

Prellberg’s take: “Colton is going to lead the way by far. The numbers behind those two will be high, at least initially.


Indian Creek

Head Coach: Dave Olson (1st season)

Key Players: Alex Bremner, junior; Blake Mitchell, senior

2009 Outlook: Olson, an assistant coach for the past three years, takes over for the retired Gary Richardson, who was the school’s head coach for 14 seasons. The Timberwolves lose Matt Davis, a state qualifier last year, as well as Mike Wong, a sectional qualifier.

Bremner, a junior, was a sectional qualifier last year. Indian Creek has won three straight Little Ten titles.

Olson’s take: “We have two really consistent golfers, probably three more that could be there. I think we can compete in our conference.”



Kaneland

Head Coach: Mark Meyer (5th season)

Key Players: Hayley Guyton, junior; J.C. Gillett, senior; Josh Schuberg, junior

2009 Outlook: Kaneland is led by Guyton, who golfs with the boys during  the regular season since the Knights don’t have a girls team, and Gillett. The Knights are young, with three sophomores on varsity, and will have to overcome the loss of Curtis Lubic, a sectional qualifier the last two seasons.

Meyer’s take: “We’re pretty deep this year, most of our players are going to be shooting right around the same thing. One thing’s for sure, I expect us to be more consistent this year.”



Sycamore

Head Coach: David Burdick (1st season)

Key players: Drew Hawkins, senior; Alex Schultz, senior; Jon Nugent, sophomore

2009 Outlook: New head coach Burdick faces a challenge in his first season as the Spartans lose four of their top six golfers from last season in Kyle Landes, Jason Lundbeck, Kyle Warren, and Zach Teague, a state qualifier the last two seasons.

Sycamore’s roster features predominately juniors with just a handful of seniors.

Burdick’s take: “We don’t have one or two standout players. I think the best part is (the players) all feed off each other. That’s really good for a coach when you have seven or eight guys you can depend on for low scores.”