IMA SPORTS

In-season practice hasn’t started for most high school sports, but the golf season got underway earlier this week. For the Maumee boys team, that meant a trip to Stone Ridge Golf Club for the Central Catholic season-opening invitational Thursday.

“It is a little odd starting earlier in the season than other sports, but I know both the guys and coaches are ready to go when the season starts,” coach Brian Ward said. “Most of the golfers have played during the summer, so they start the season in rhythm and are ready to go.

“I would say the first week of the season is a good test to see how the rest of the season will go, as our varsity plays in the first invitational on the fourth day of the season and our JV has a match on the fifth day.”

Ward and Maumee are looking to turn last season’s close calls into lower scores this fall.

Leading the returners is three-year letterwinner Antonio Valadez, who earned second-team All-Northern Buckeye Conference honors as a junior.

Valadez was part of a four-man playoff in the Division I sectional, with three individual district spots up for grabs. His par putt lipped out, costing him a chance to advance, but Ward said that setback only strengthened Valadez’s motivation.

“He showed tremendous maturity in handling the moment, and I know it helped fuel his offseason work,” Ward said.

Also back are senior Tommy Parker and sophomores J.J. Peace and Mateo Valadez, Antonio’s younger brother.

Peace had a strong freshman season, finishing just a few shots shy of All-NBC honors. Ward said he has worked hard to improve different aspects of his game as well as his course awareness — a focus for the entire team.

“When we found ourselves in tough spots last year, we sometimes tried to make the hero shot instead of taking the smart route and regrouping,” Ward said. “One big area we need to improve on is consistency — both in scoring and in the mental aspect of course management.

“Practicing these scenarios during rounds and having ongoing discussions about course management will only help improve this team and its ability to handle situations effectively.”

Joining the varsity roster this year are seniors Josh Pero and Owen Sloan. Sloan is new to the program, while Pero led the JV squad in scoring last season and earned some varsity experience.

Ward said several underclassmen could push for varsity opportunities, including sophomore Jaxon Kerr and freshmen Archer Jaworski and Oliver West.

In three seasons as Northern Buckeye Conference members, Maumee has fared well, finishing second overall two years ago and fifth last year, just nine points out of third. Ward believes the team’s chemistry could make a difference again this season.

“This team is a close-knit group that has a lot of trust and understanding among each other,” Ward said. “Aside from having a set of brothers on the team, these guys play other sports together and spend time with one another outside of school and golf. I think that will come in handy during the season when we’re preparing for competition and going through the ups and downs of a golf season.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
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