Friday, August 18, 2000
N.Ky. boys golf preview
CovCath coach looks for lower scores
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Covington Catholic golf coach Rick Hornsby is sort of confident about his team's regional chances.
Since their state title in 1984, the Colonels have won every regional title but one (St. Henry ended that streak in 1998), and there's lots to make Hornsby feel at ease this season. Junior Mark Erlewine is back to defend his individual title and three seniors, Ross Kreutzjans, Bret Wilcox and Matt Lewin, return.
But Hornsby said the seniors need to improve.
“They've been shooting in the low 80s all summer,” Hornsby said. “I don't think they've played their best golf.”
Erlewine is doing well. He won one tournament this summer on the Generation Next junior tour and he's averaged between 72 and 75 strokes per round.
“If he's going to make a big improvement it's in the short game,” Hornsby said. “I think he has a chance to be one of the top five in the state.”
Said Erlewine: “That is the highest compliment anyone has ever given me.”
Dixie Heights qualified for the state tournament two years ago. This year, coach Tom Wischer relies partly on players from other sports.
Start with senior Jay Johnson. He hasn't played a lot this summer because he concentrates on baseball. Seniors Bo Powers and twin brothers Mike and Matt DeMoss should occupy the next three spots, but Wischer said senior Justin Yeager, the two-time regional tennis singles champion, and senior Rob Paul will battle for the fifth spot.
Boone County returns all five players, including the Rebels' top player, junior Brandon Granacker. Still, coach Shane Rogers is worried.
“I think consistency is going to be our biggest battle,” Rogers said.
Junior Tony LeMay will likely be Boone County's second player.
Sophomore Brian Upchurch should hold the No.3 spot. The other two positions are a toss-up between junior Jon Lehman and sophomores Tom Adkins, Cassidy Rouse and Patrick Allen.
Ryle finished fourth in the region last year. New coach Bill Turner said six players return, led by senior Clay Long and sophomore Jonathan Ehlen.
“(Ehlen) came along at the end of last year and he played a lot this summer,” Turner said.
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