Youngsters and vets propel golf team

   The 2-1 golf team has renewed hopes for the season, partially due to the emergence of two of their youngest players.
   This year, eight golfers play on the school team and have achieved several impressive victories in the season so far. In a match against Timberlake Christian on April 9, for example, the Raiders scored 189 strokes, over 20 strokes below Timberlake’s 218.
   Richard Cook has been coaching golf for seven years, and said this season is both similar and distinct from previous ones.
   “This year is similar in that we have one very good player, a few players with some experience, and then several players who are learning the game,” he said. “I am optimistic regarding our performance this year. If Philip, Bennett, Sterling or all three step up and shoot in the high 40s, we will be good. I think our greatest challenge this year is to shoot under 225 in the VIC Tournament; that would be great if we could pull that off.”
   Cook thinks that the most promising player this year is either Nathan Seidel (‘18) or Bruce Ferrell (‘17). Farrell’s average score this year for nine holes is 56, while Seidel’s average is 46.
   “Bruce and Nathan have a lot of potential,” Cook said, “but both need to improve over the next few weeks.”
   Ty Olinger (‘16) is the team’s top player. Having played the game for over 15 years, Olinger is an extremely experienced player, and also competes in golf tournaments outside of school. His average score for the school team this year playing nine holes is 39.
   “I’ve been playing golf ever since I could swing a club so since I was 3 or 4,” Olinger said. “My favorite part about golf is just being on the golf course. It’s always relaxing and it’s a nice getaway.”
   Olinger said he was looking forward to the rest of the season and felt optimistic about the team’s prospects.
   “I’m really excited about this year,” Olinger said. “Our team is definitely looking a lot better and I think we will compete well with everyone this year.”