ROSS TWP. — Ross High boys golf coach Rick Mathes knows what type of talent he’s got. With five golfers coming back from last season, it’s pretty easy to notice.
“We have an impressive group of players that are hungry to show that they are better than last year’s record indicates,” said Mathes, whose squad went 8-6 overall and 5-5 in the Southwest Ohio Conference under his first year at the helm a season ago.
“We have a great chance to compete for the SWOC championship this year,” Mathes said.
Two of those five returnees are first-team all-conference seniors in Cole Gronas and Logan Hollander.
“Several players gained valuable experience in the sectionals last year at Miami Whitewater,” Mathes said. “Two players narrowly missed a playoff for the last individual spot to go to districts.”
Junior Nick Chernock, senior Ben Hannon and junior Trent Kist are also coming back with valuable experience. Chernock earned second-team all-conference honors in 2018.
Moving up to the varsity level are juniors Adam Fisher, Brady Halm and Ben Spears.
“Our guys have come together quickly the first week of the season and have posted two wins with scores of 171 and 167,” Mathes said. “I fully expect to get a couple of players through to districts this year. If our guys improve a couple of shots or play fantastic at sectionals, the team could make it through to districts.
“Our team is focused on improving their physical and mental golf game by working hard and never giving up,” Mathes added. “We are all looking forward to a very exciting season.”