Conference Golf Preview: Waynedale, Hiland enter league tourneys as favorites
As the conference golf season comes to a close this week, several questions will be answered.
Who will emerge in the Wayne County Athletic League, where both Waynedale and Smithville come in as the teams to watch, but defending champ Dalton has come on strong as of late?
Can Hiland repeat as Inter-Valley Conference champs after dominating the league over the last decade?
Does Wooster have enough in its lineup to take the title in the final round of a the three-event Ohio Cardinal Conference championship series?
All of these questions, and more, will soon come to light as conference championship matches take place across the area.
Here’s a look at conference championships involving area teams:
Principals Athletic Conference
WHEN: Monday, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Prestwick Country Club (3751 Glen Eagles Blvd., Uniontown)
WHAT TO WATCH: One of the feel-good stories of the fall as been Tuslaw. Despite losing state-qualifier Adam Sibila to graduation, the Mustangs have been impressive as they enter the league tournament in second place. A lot of that has to do with the play of Evan Back, who is among area leaders in both 18-hole (78.7) and nin-hole (39.6) average this season. He hasn't been alone, as Andrew Smith (83.7) and Nick Lytle (84.3) have been as steady, which could help Tuslaw make a run against league-leading Manchester. A veteran lineup has led the Panthers with returning PAC first-teamers Brady Johnson, Logan Carr and Drew Mothersbaugh. Triway senior Tyler Snyder also has had another strong season on the links and will look to compete for medalist honors. Orrville has been led the fall by a pair of sophomores — Drew Alexander and Kellen Wayt — and come into the match sixth overall.
Wayne County Athletic Conference
WHEN: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Riceland Golf Course (11977 Lincoln Way E, Orrville)
WHAT TO WATCH: With two matches to play before teams square-off at Riceland, things could get very interesting. Waynedale suffered its first league loss of the year, a one-stroke setback against Smithville, but still lead the Smithies and Dalton by two matches in the standings. This makes the final 18-hole affair one that could decide it all. The Bears have gotten consistent play from both Jordan Miller and Hank Miller this fall but will need the middle of their lineup to find their way into the top 10 to recapture the conference after a one-year title hiatus. Smithville, however, has a strong 1-2 punch atop of its roster with Hunter Pertee and Gavin Von Almen and have been among the area's top teams in 18-hole tournament play. But don't forget about the defending-champion Bulldogs, who have come on strong in the closing month and are tied in dual-meet losses with the Smithies. Zach Brahler and Thad Weaver could help Dalton make things very interesting when the final scores are tallied. A host of other locals should make runs for medalist honors as Luke Walton (Northwestern), Bryon Bickel (Hillsdale), Gavin Ferguson (Norwayne) and Anthony Kish (Chippewa) all have had strong seasons.
Ohio Cardinal Conference
WHEN: Thursday, 9 a.m.
WHERE: Shelby Crossings Golf Course (3885 Laser Rd, Shelby)
WHAT TO WATCH: The Generals come into the final round of this three-event series in a tie for second place overall with Mount Vernon after New Philadelphia took the top prize at both Riceland and Deer Ridge last month. While the Quakers have a lot of firepower in their lineup, Wooster finished seven strokes shy of the win in at Deer Ridge. Ian Snode comes into the final round fifth in the conference points standings. New Philadelphia, however, has three players — Nathan Menapace, Louis Devore and Brady Evans — in the top-five. Menapace leads with 44 1/2 points, just ahead of Mount Vernon's Spencer Hughes (43). Snode and Grady Hahn, who is 12th in the individual standings, will look to help the Generals into the title conversation. West Holmes will look to finish the OCC season on a positive note. Trey Baker, who has been the Knights top golfer this season with an 82.0 18-hole average, is expected to lead the way along with Grady Toye (85.0).
Inter-Valley Conference
WHEN: Thursday, 8 a.m.
WHERE: River Greens Golf Course (22749 State Route 751, West Lafayette)
WHAT TO WATCH: After a rare dual-meet loss on a fifth-score tiebreaker to Strasburg last week, Hiland comes in as hungry as ever to repeat as champs. The Hawks, who came into the fall without a IVC loss in the past five seasons, still have a strong lineup that can be tough for opposing teams in an 18-hole invitational. Junior Camden Bille and sophomore Jack Mast each come with identical 79.4 averages in tournament play this season, with freshman teammate Andrew Beun (80.0) right behind. This punch in the lineup, along with Monty Coblentz also having the ability to go-low, should help Hiland keep the trophy in Berlin.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Golf: previewing the WCAL, PAC-7, OCC and IVC tournaments
