SOLON — Last spring the varsity boys golf team claimed both the WaMaC East and overall WaMaC Conference championships, were Sectional Champions, District Champions, and finished fifth in the State Meet with a 79-5 record overall and 74-1 showing in the WaMaC. Lost to graduation were seniors Austin Bell, Charlie Hammill, Quinton Heineman, David Karam, Mac McCarty, Brayden Ruskey, Landon Shive, Sean Stahle, Rhyse Wear, and Cole Winders.
This year, Coach Adam Stahle, in his 17th year leading the Spartans, returns seniors Jack McCarty, Brennan Heesch, Garret Stebral, Gehrig Turner, Jackson Messenger, Jack Irwin, Cole Buffington, and Brent Werner. McCarty earned 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-State honors last season.
Juniors Isaiah Zoske, Nolan Seagren, and Brady Evers are back as well with Zoske also capturing 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-State last season. Also back are sophomores Nick Stahle and Tyler Greazel. New to the team are freshmen Brady Wick and Grant Gordon.
“We’re excited for another competitive season,” said Stahle. “We have a record number of boys out this spring with 66 total. Half of the varsity team returns this year but we’re looking to replace three spots. We have a lot of kids who have been in the program for a few years and have been waiting their turn. We’re excited to see how it all works out.”
As usual the WaMaC will be extremely competitive this spring after qualifying three teams (Solon, West Delaware, and Williamsburg) for state last year. “All three should be good again this year. I also look for Clear Creek Amana (CCA), Marion, Vinton-Shellsburg, Center Point-Urbana, and Independence to take a step forward.”
The season opened Monday with a 151-166 varsity win over Mount Vernon ahead of Friday’s (April 5) home invitational with Benton Community, Tipton, West Liberty, Williamsburg, CCA, Regina Catholic, Durant, West Branch, and West Delaware in attendance; “A very good field,” said Coach Stahle. The team travels to the Pella Masters Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at Bos Landen and the Pella Country Club. “The field is like a mini-state tournament and will be a great test for us.
Stahle will be assisted by Scott Wolfe (Solon ’81), Nathan Miller (Solon ’03), and Jared Galpin. Wolfe has been with the program since 2014, Miller since 2016, and Galpin joined the program last year.
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Jack McCarty sizes up a put in the season opening 2023 Solon Invitational at Lake MacBride Golf Course. McCarty earned 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-State last season as a junior.