Dispatch All-Metro boys golf coach Phil West helps Newark Catholic reach new heights
The Newark Catholic boys golf team has reached the Division III state tournament in all four of Phil West’s seasons as coach, finishing second last year and this fall.
If he has one regret, it’s that this year’s seniors won’t be able to help the Green Wave pursue a state championship next fall.
“I didn’t want this season to end, but they all have to,” West said. “It was a great group of kids that I had for the last four years. I’m going to miss those seniors, but we have some good players coming back. That’s what’s pretty cool about what those seniors helped put together. We’re going to be OK.”
West guided Newark Catholic to its third consecutive Licking County League championship followed by sectional and district titles. The district title earned the Green Wave their eighth state tournament appearance.
For his efforts, West has been named The Dispatch’s All-Metro Boys Golf Coach of the Year. The Athlete of the Year in boys golf will be among the honors announced at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards in June.
Warren JFK edged the Green Wave for the state title by one shot, 648-649, after the teams entered the second round tied at 320.
In 2022, Newark Catholic finished second (664) behind Cincinnati Seven Hills (659). The Green Wave finished third in 2020 and 2021.
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West said seniors Brian Luft, Nathan Riggleman and Max Vanoy sparked this year's success. Vanoy tied for 12th (155) at state, while Luft tied for 33rd (168) and Riggleman tied for 36th (169).
“I knew the seniors had done really well as middle school players, but I’ve seen that over the years,” West said. “Somebody can be really good in middle school, but when you step up to the next level and get the bigger courses and better competition, it just doesn’t pan out. But these kids jumped all over the opportunities and stayed up to the challenges, and we kept pushing them to go a little bit further and believe in themselves — and they did.
“When they came in, things changed at our school in terms of golf. All three did something extra special for us at one time or another and that’s what was so cool.”
All three will compete in college — Vanoy at Tiffin, Riggleman at Findlay and Luft at Barton in Wilson, North Carolina.
Luft, who will seek his fourth consecutive wrestling state tournament berth this winter, credits West for his success in golf. Luft was LCL Player of the Year this fall.
“I seem to get a little frustrated on the course and coach was always there for me when I needed help,“ Luft said. “He kept me in a calm mood.”
West took over the program after serving as an assistant coach for the girls team for three seasons. He previously was an assistant boys coach at Granville for 12 seasons.
His team should be led next year by junior Brogan Sullivan and sophomore Bobby Kieber. Sullivan tied for 31st at state (167) after winning district (70), and Kieber tied for 20th at state (161).
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Newark Catholic's West is 2023 Dispatch boys golf Coach of the Year
