Solid Mead Team Driving For One More League Title
Boys golf
When Greater Spokane League golf begins on the Monday following spring break, Mead will once again be in the title hunt.
The Panthers, under coach Paul Peters, have won eight of the last 10 league titles.
“There are three teams - Ferris, CV and Mead whose matches should be close,” said Peters. “I’m looking forward to those.”
Mead graduated only one senior from last year’s league runnerup team.
Back are state qualifying junior Josh Sicilia, sophomore state alternate Royal Stumph and the team’s season-long scoring leader, junior Brian Fong.
Back, too, are a pair of seniors who finished among the league’s top 13 individuals in season-long scoring - Jason Vedadi and Keith Ross.
Senior Brandon Simchuk was Mead’s medalist with a 69 in a tournament at Kennewick already this year. Another senior, Marshall Powell returns.
The veterans are joined by freshman Matt Kodama.
“Depth has been our tradition and we’re real solid,” said Peters.
Highlanders need depth
The top two golfers off Shadle Park’s third-place league finisher return.
State qualifying junior Robert Selland and Jared Herling lead the team.
“Jason’s just super improved and is going to be vying with Robert for who is number one,” said coach Randy Lothspeich.
Beyond that, he said, the Highlanders will have a bunch of new guys. “And boy are they ever” new, he said.
Freshman Galen Satterlee has Washington Junior Golf summer experience. Senior Tim Howe is number four.
After that, said Lothspeich, eight golfers are battling for two varsity spots.
Prep top four good as any
Gonzaga Prep has four boys who can play with anybody in the league, said coach Phil Kuder.
Three seniors lead the G-Prep boys, including North Sider Mike Ray, Matt Brajcich and Joe Jordan.
Junior Mark Van Gemert and sophomore Adrian Herdner are joined by freshman newcomer Dan Potter.
“I think our seniors have really improved and with the addition of Potter, we should be better,” Kuder says.
Graduation means new look at NC
Losing the top two golfers to graduation and having another transfer this year doesn’t help the Indians.
“We have an almost all-new lineup,” said coach Dave Hall.
Senior veterans Mark Becker, Thom Powell and Kenny Carlson return. Sophomores Josh Vestal and Mark Braun and freshman Brett Carlson are among the 11 Hall will keep on varsity.
“We’ve got kids who shoot in the low-to-mid 80s,” said Hall. “In this league you’ve got to be in the 70s.”
Golf becoming popular at Rogers
Fourth-year coach Larry Williamson had a turnout of 74 golfers in his boys and girls program this year, and was forced to cut.
“Tiger Woods. That’s all I can say,” said Williamson. “I think he’s been a help to the sport of golf.”
Like NC, the Pirates have no club players, but they have been getting free clinics from area professionals and discounts at golfing establishments to help promote the game.
Sophomores Rudy Keezer and Charlie Napp were one and two last year. Senior Mike York has transferred back to Rogers after a year at NC.
Seniors David Green and Paul Anderson return to be challenged by sophomore Adam Hooper and freshmen Bobby Bowerman, Josh Hawley and Dustin Dykeman.
“They are very serious golfers, rain, shine, sleet or hail,” said Williamson. “I’m very impressed with them. I’m excited about the future.”
, DataTimes