Chris Umscheid
Solon golfer Sydney Dee
SOLON — When it comes to golf, Curtis Hendrickson said he would consider himself to be a counselor and not a coach. Yet coaching has defined Hendrickson’s life for nearly three decades. After playing college football at Culver-Stockton in Missouri. Hendrickson began a career in education and coaching simultaneously. Twenty-five years later, Hendrickson has coached football, basketball, baseball and now golf for the last decade at Solon. In his time at Solon, Hendrickson said he has really seen the team improve in the last four years. The team’s upward trajectory includes the switch from Lake MacBride Golf to Saddleback Ridge Golf Course in 2022. Now, the girls’ and boys’ golf teams can practice independently from one another. This change in the last three years leaves the Solon Lady Spartans with a home course advantage as the 3A State Competition will be held at Saddleback Ride this spring season.
Setting their sights on State
In addition to the state competition, nearly half of Solon’s meets will take place at Saddleback Ridge. This includes various different invitationals as well as the conference tournament, that Hendrickson hopes to win for a “three-peat” title. So, Solon’s schedule with plenty of home course advantage is a good look in Hendrickson’s eyes. “Saddleback golf course has really embraced us and made us feel welcome. And I think that’s been huge,” he said. With a team roster of 20 players across varsity and junior varsity, Hendrickson welcomes back five of the top eight varsity golfers.
The Lady Spartans to look out for include:
• Senior, Sydney Dee (9-hole low 43 (five rounds), 18-hole low (nine rounds) 77)
• Junior, Jaya Farlinger (9-hole low (two rounds) 50, 18-hole low (four rounds) 95)
• Senior, Izzy Frees – making her 3rd varsity team appearance (9-hole low (five rounds) 42, 18-hole low (seven rounds) 83)
• Senior, Maya Miller – 2024 WaMaC East Divisional Meet Champion, making her 2nd varsity appearance (9-hole low (five rounds) 45, 18-hole low (seven rounds) 90)
• Junior, Emma Phelps (18-hole low (two rounds) 94)
Hendrickson said his team consists of “quality players.”
Taking into consideration his roster of 20 with five varsity returners, Hendrickson has set goals for the upcoming spring season, “We like to win every meet we’re in,” he said, “overall, you know, we want to not only make state but improve our finish from last year.”
The season opens Tuesday, April 8 at the Tara Hills Country Club (Van Horne) in a triangular meet with Benton Community and Center Point-Urbana starting at 4:00 p.m.