LAPEL — Ten players make up a balanced team for Lapel golf this season. Returnees mixed with new players make coach Josh Strange optimistic about his team’s season.
“We have an excellent chance to be good this year with having everyone back,” Strange said. With several second-place finishes in invitationals and the county, he believes the golfers can improve on those successes.
Playing well throughout the season will prepare the team for a tough sectional that includes Noblesville, Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers on a challenging course, Purgatory, in Noblesville.
Juniors Logan McAtee, Ian Vipperman and Jaxon Fetty have been lettermen since their freshman year. Three seniors — Joe Cantrell, Joey Stern and Connor Benedict — also bring experience to be in the mix for the Bulldogs.
“We’re going to have a lot of competition this year in practice,” Strange said, “which really helps build success when you have a lot of competition (on your upcoming schedule).”
With the level of challenge between players so high, their grade of success goes even further.
“On any given night, we could have a different medalist,” Strange said.
In addition to the upperclassmen, there are three sophomores — Harry Burrell, Blaine Teeters and Brandon Wood.
Burrell played junior varsity last year, and Strange believes the addition of Teeters and Wood will definitely add to the caliber of the team.
Strange also has freshman Corbyn Carroll vying for playing time.
“When you look at it across the board, we will have a very competitive squad among the 10 guys who are here,” Strange said.
Most team members know each other very well, and friendly rivalries push all of them.
“They are good friends and also very competitive, which is a driving force with these guys,” Strange said. “They definitely drive each other through competitions.”
Because of weather, the team has had little course time to challenge each other. Since practice began, Strange said the team has probably been able to play nine holes outside maybe three times. However, even practices inside yield results with a series of activities to help with the swing.
“Stretching helps because a lot of stretching goes into your golf swing.”
Like every other sport in Madison County, golf has no lightweights when it comes the area schools.
“Going into it, you have goals for different parts of the season, and county is one of them,” Strange said. “County is one of the things we look forward to, to gauge where we are.”
Lapel plays host to the county meet this year.
As a team, the Bulldogs would like to move on from the sectional. The top three teams advance.
“The process is to work every day to get better,” Strange said.
With few home events this season, playing Edgewood Golf Course during practice still helps the Bulldogs’ game.
“This course helps set us up, because you have (to have) a lot of control to play this course.”
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Seniors
Joey Stern
Joe Cantrell
Juniors
Ian Vipperman
Logan McAtee
Jaxon Fetty
Connor Benedict
Sophomores
Harry Burrell
Blaine Teeters
Brandon Wood
Freshmen
Corbyn Carroll
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4:30 p.m April 12 – vs. Clinton Central and Elwood at Elwood Golf Links
8 a.m. Saturday, April 14 – Ritter Invitational at Eagle Creek Golf Course
4:30 p.m. Monday, April 16 – at Yorktown, with Mt. Vernon
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 – at Speedway
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