Senior Will Petro returns to help lead the charge for the Warsaw boys golf team this spring.

WARSAW – Warsaw boys golf coach Ben Barkey expects another strong season this spring.

Why would he expect anything else?

The tradition-rich Tigers, who have reached the State Finals eight times in the last 11 seasons under Barkey’s guidance, are poised to play at a high level once again.

Barkey’s optimistic outlook has a couple of pretty good reasons behind it.

Those pair of reasons would be key returnees Will Petro and Jonny Hollar. The outstanding duo give the Tigers a potent punch at the top of their lineup.

“It’s excitement with those two guys because of the seasons they had last year and the summers they had,” said Barkey of his experienced tandem. “It’s the leadership they bring to the team.”

Senior Petro and junior Hollar each helped the Tigers win sectional and regional championships in 2013 on their home course at Stonehenge. Warsaw went on to place 15th at the State Finals as Hollar shot 159 and Petro 161 for the two-round tournament at The Legends in Franklin.

Warsaw did lose an outstanding trio in Jon Schram, Tim Ahlersmeyer and Evan Cultice. Schram played for Ball State in the fall before transferring to Grace College.

Barkey, a 1997 WCHS graduate, says the mindset is the same as every season for his squad.

“It’s all about growth, continuing to work hard and a positive mindset,” Barkey said. “We’re always looking to get better and constantly grow. Hopefully, all of us will do our part and we will have high growth by the end of the season.

“We’re probably stressing more this year that it’s a long season and a long time until June. I think we’re at a healthy state and have a lot of opportunity for growth and a great season.”

The lineup for the Tigers come Saturday when they open at the Hall of Fame Invitational at Rock Hollow in Peru will feature Petro and Hollar along with juniors Brandon Eckert, Ryan Cultice and Josh Ahlersmeyer. Also expected to be in the mix are junior Reid Cameron and sophomore Jacob Foster.

“I think we have quality at the other three spots in our lineup,” said Barkey. “We have four guys back with varsity experience in Will, Jonny, Brandon and Ryan.”

The long winter and late arrival of Spring has not impacted the Tigers.

“We’re actually ahead of last year in terms of quality practices so far as compared to last year,” Barkey said. “We’re not about to let it (the weather) become an obstacle for us. We’ll have 20 practices in by Saturday.”

The Tigers beat Triton by one stroke to win the sectional title and then topped the Trojans on the fifth-man tiebreaker score to claim the regional championship in 2013.

Warsaw will host both the sectional and regional again this year with a slight change. The regional will still be at Stonehenge with the sectional moved to Rozella Ford.

“The state asked us to use two different venues and it was a no-brainer to play the sectional at Rozella,” said Barkey. “It’s a great thing. I love the course at Rozella. I grew up playing there and we’re excited for the sectional to be there this year.”

The Warsaw squad this year also includes five strong freshmen in Michael Jensen, Luke Johnson, Robbie Sullivan, Tim Rata and Andrew Gauger, along with junior Curtis Archer and sophomore Sawyer Stevens.

The Tigers will play in the Spring Preview at The Legends April 19 before hosting the Don Dicken Classic at Stonehenge April 26.

Junior Jonny Hollar will be a key man on the links for the Tigers this season.