As the boys golf season nears for Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, a few more competition practice rounds will set the roster in preparation for their busy schedule.
An increase in numbers will showcase 11 members on the LCC boys golf team.
Pat Harrington is in his third season leading the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge boys golf program. Coach Harrington said they were able to get outside on March 12.
“Got some chipping and putting done, going to start work on some approach wedge shots,” said Harrington. “Start working inside out, working on the short game first and slowly just start lengthen it out.”
Joining coach Harrington will be Izak Reifenrath as an assistant coach.
Seniors include Gibson Roberts, Eli Haish, Caleb Erwin and Connor Korth.
Sophomore Tanner Thompson just missed placing at district last year along with fellow sophomore Talon Carson who played well during the tail-end of last season. Junior Kolten Settje has also shown improvement during his first two years of golfing for the Bears.
Along with seeing what the seniors can bring to the table this year, coach Harrington is excited to see how the freshman twins Paxton and Parker Hoeppner can do.
Two seniors graduated off of last year’s team which was nine strokes off in a four-way tie just missing out on state. Coach Harrington added with the numbers good, competition will be better.
“So, having the competition in the room and getting guys to actually fight it out with each other and make sure that it’s an actual good competitive group that wants to play the best golf they can,” Harrington added. “I’m just excited to see whether we can make a run at it with these young guys and still obviously looking forward to having a good team going forward.”
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge will open their season at Plainview on Saturday, April 12.
The Bears will play two to three competition practice rounds to set their rosters, which take place once a week during the season to see if anyone is moving up or down. With only a nine-hole course at Cedarview Country Club in Laurel, the coaching staff will have the team start playing 12 – 15 holes in a night to expand their endurance preparing for the 18-hole invites.
The LCC Invite is scheduled for Thursday, April 17. Coach Harrington mentioned it’s a plus to play at home by knowing where the problem areas are at.
“You might think okay this shot might work on most courses, but you’ve played Laurel enough that you know you’re going to give yourself a tougher look for a second shot especially off the tee boxes,” Harrington mentioned. “I think just their comfortability with how the greens are cut and knowing what putts are going to be easier coming back.”
With the LCC triangulars on the road, coach Harrington will be looking at hosting another JV meet and is reaching out to area schools.
