This spring, the only boys squad that is larger than the golf team at Trinity Lutheran is the track team.
For 2016, 15 boys came out for the golf team — the most since Greg Personett was hired on to start coaching the program.
In practices, Personett has adapted the way his golfers prepare for upcoming matchups.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“It is kind of a challenge from the standpoint that I’ve never had this many players before,” Personett said. “We have an assistant coach, Nate Benter, and I’ve dealt with the varsity. Benter is dealing with the reserve, and I think it’s working out pretty well.”
None of the members of the team are in the senior class.
Seven members are freshmen and six are juniors.
With bigger numbers, the competition has been fierce on the team, with four different golfers finishing in medalist positions.
Personett said that his team’s players are competitive with each other, and especially with golf, anyone can emerge as medalist any given day.
Thus far into the season, junior Cory Stuckwisch has mostly played in the No. 1 spot on the links.
Stuckwisch said that there is competition among the team at every practice, and playing in the No. 1 spot has been both rewarding and challenging.
He has finished medalist in a tri-meet at Belterra and co-medalist for a dual meet against Henryville with teammate Drew Royalty at Shadowood Golf Course.
On Tuesday, Stuckwisch also shared medalist honors with teammate Jonathan Keith against visiting Hauser.
The Cougars’ Chad Stuckwisch was medalist at a four-way meet in New Washington, while Jacob Keith had the lowest score at Salem.
Because of frequent rain this spring, the Cougars have competed in just a handful of competitions this season.
The weather has made it difficult for golfers area-wide to stay consistent in scoring.
Cory Stuckwisch said he played in tournaments this past summer, which has helped him adjust to the elements.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience from playing in difficult situations,” he said. “I think I’ve overcome a lot since last season.”
Combining tournaments and dual matches, the Cougars stand at 30-6 on the season.
This past Saturday, the Cougars four-peated as Cougar Invitational champions.
In the pouring rain, the Cougars combined for 352 strokes on 18 holes.
Between now and the sectional at Indiana University on June 3, the Cougars are scheduled to hit the links seven times.
“I try to apply pressure early on in the season to work on what they need to work on,” Personett said. “Right now, they know what to work on, how to work on it and how to (apply) it. When the season progresses into May I try to take the pressure off with school finals and things like that.
“(Pressure) changes as the season changes. Overall, we’ve adapted pretty easily.”
Personett said that his team looks to make waves during the postseason.
“We’re looking forward to the tournament, and there has been talk on the team,” he said. “I think we can compete in the tournament this year.”
Last season, the Cougars weren’t able to advance any golfers to the regional or state level as then-senior Parker Criswell’s score of 80 fell just short.