Tigers, Trojans Shooting For State
Jonny Hollar has become a valuable piece to the Warsaw boys golf puzzle as the Tigers take to the Homestead Regional tomorrow. (Photo by Mike Deak)
That’s what it’s all about for both the Warsaw and Triton boys golf squads come Thursday when the pair of talented teams hit the links at the Homestead Regional.
The No. 7 Tigers and the Trojans know a top-three finish at the Orchard Ridge Country Club in Fort Wayne means a trip to Franklin for the State Finals June 12-13.
“Just advance,” said WCHS senior standout Tyler Ostrom prior to practice Tuesday at Stonehenge. “We want to be in the top three. Winning is nice, but this is about advancing on to State.”
Ostrom will be a huge key for the fortunes of the Tigers Thursday at the very familiar Orchard Ridge layout. The Ball State bound ace was the regional medalist at Orchard Ridge in 2011 with a round of 70 as WCHS placed third with a 307. Ostrom went on to win the state title, while Warsaw placed seventh as a team.
“This is a team thing, not an individual,” Ostrom said. “We’re an experienced team and we know what we need to do. We still haven’t put that great round together where all of us click on the same day, but we still can do it.
“I have confidence in everyone on this team. I feel good about our chances Thursday.”
The Tigers tied Triton at 323 last Friday in the sectional played out under miserable conditions at Stonehenge. Warsaw won the program’s 25th sectional title on the strength of its fifth man tiebreaker score of 87 from senior Bennett Hollar.
“We know we need our A game Thursday,” said Hollar, who will play at Wheaton College. “There are a lot of good teams in the regional and we have to play well to get out. I have a lot of confidence. We’re familiar with the course and we’re putting in the work to be ready Thursday. We’ve all been in a lot of pressure situations before, so this is pretty usual for us.”
The Tigers feature a deep and talented lineup. Seniors Ostrom and Bennett Hollar, juniors Jon Schram and Tim Ahlersmeyer and freshman Jonny Hollar will hit the tees Thursday. Ostrom shot his medalist round of 70 at regional last year, while Schram shot 78, Ahlersmeyer 80 and Bennett Hollar 91.
Schram, who had a 77 in the sectional, says confidence is high.
“I think all of us are confident,” said Schram Tuesday. “All of us are starting to play well and we’ve put in the time to be ready. For me, I’ve made less mistakes lately and my scores have went down. My approach Thursday is just on my first tee shot. You put the ball in play there you can shoot well.”
Warsaw knows the Orchard Ridge course very, very well. The Tigers won the 18-team Homestead Invitational there on May 5 with a 306. Ostrom was medalist that day with a 70, while Schram shot 75, Ahlersmeyer 76 and Bennett Hollar 86. Warsaw also beat Homestead in a 9-hole match April 16 by a 157-172 count.
WCHS coach Ben Barkey, who guided the Tigers to a state title in 2005, says it’s all about earning the chance to play again.
“We just want to be in the top three,” said Barkey, whose teams have qualified for State each of the last three years.. “We’re focusing on the fundamentals in preparing and trying to keep it simple.
“The regional is a lot more delicate than State. The great thing is that our guys are very familiar and comfortable with Orchard Ridge. They have played the course a lot and know what our game plan is.
“You never know what will happen Thursday and anything can happen. But, I want this for our guys. I’m blessed to have the players I do. Our success is a testament to them and their work ethic.
“We would be disappointed any year not to advance out of the regional and this year is no different. My concern Thursday is what is the next shot we are hitting. I’m not worried about what Canterbury or Dwenger or Triton is doing. I have no control over any of that.”
Triton's Chandler Slone will need to have a big day at Homestead if Triton hope to compete for a state finals berth. (Photo by Mike Deak)
“Just like every sport your ultimate goal is to make it to state,” said Triton coach Jack Carpenter. “Some years that is more realistic than others and that opportunity at a 1A school in a one class sport doesn’t come around a lot so we have to try to make the most of the opportunity.”
“Our kids are very excited and hopefully very prepared for the chance to advance to state and anything can happen in a one day tourney. Warsaw still looks to be the team to chase but I think the rest of the field is very even. I would think we would have to be around 310 or lower to have a legitimate chance to be in the top 3.”
“Unfortunately, we have not played in a tournament there (at Orchard Ridge) but have had a couple practice rounds there. A couple of my players have played there in summer tournaments so we are very familiar with it. Obviously Quentyn’s goal is to help the team advance to the next level because it is so much more fun to be there as a team. He has been to the state his first two years and anything short of that would be disappointing to him.”
Carpenter leads the way for Triton. He will be joined in the Trojans’ lineup by Ryan Rapp, Tanner Shepherd, Lucas Shafer and Chandler Slone. Carpenter shot 75 at Orchard Ridge in 2011, while Rapp shot 80 and Slone 92.
The regional field Thursday includes Warsaw, Triton, DeKalb, Elkhart Memorial, Lakeland, Homestead, Garrett, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Carroll, Culver Academy, Northridge and Fort Wayne Canterbury. Canterbury, Dwenger and Northridge were all honorable mention in the latest state poll.
Play begins at Orchard Ridge at 8:16 a.m. Thursday. Triton’s players tee off on No. 1 from 8:16-8:48. Warsaw begins play, also on No. 1, from 8:56-9:28.
The top three teams and the top three individuals not on advancing teams earn a berth in the State Finals which is set for June 12-13 at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin.
