Boys golf preview: Talent, experience abound for county teams

The boys golf season is shaping up to be quite exciting with a vast number of experienced and talented players ready to hit the links. Five of the six All-Gazette players are back, led by Gazette MVP Eli Zimmerman of Medina. Four of the six honorable mention selections return as well. Brunswick's Dayten Bobula (42.3), Buckeye's Luca Violi (43.6), Highland's Zach Butcher (38.8), Zimmerman (38.5) and Wadsworth's Landon Blizzard (40.7) also return after leading their teams in scoring last season. The Bees return four of the five players who competed at last season's Pine Hills Division I District, while the Hornets bring back Zach and Luke Butcher from their district-qualifying team. Violi was an individual district qualifier, while Zimmerman and Zach Butcher were two strokes from a playoff to make the state tournament. Highland and Medina are both out to defend league championships. Meanwhile, Buckeye is under new direction with coach Bob Miller. Here's a closer look at the seven teams: Black River Coach: Dave Mate II (2nd season, 1-8 record). Last season: 1-8, 1-7 Lorain County League, 4th at LCL preseason tournament, 4th at LCL postseason tournament (4th overall), 13th of 14 at Bunker Hill Division III Sectional. Home course: Whiskyville Golf Club. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Charlotte Falsone (sr.), Hunter Mate (jr.). Newcomers: None. Noteworthy: After graduating three of the Pirates' five players last season, Black River is hoping to attract new members. l The Pirates have moved their home course from Rolling Acres Golf Club to Whiskyville. Brunswick Coach: Colin Smith (2nd season, 0-1 record). Last season: 0-1, 5th, 5th, 5th, 5th Greater Cleveland Conference tournaments (5th overall), 5th of 16 at J.E. Good Park D-I Sectional. Home course: Pine Hills Golf Club Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Dayten Bobula (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Jonas Hinderer (sr.), Ethan Kovacs (jr.) Newcomers: Chase McConnell (sr.), Braedon Sopko (jr.), Ryan Bogar (jr.) Luke Stella (jr.), Braedon Iacobacci (so.), Colton Fulina (so.). Noteworthy: Bobula was the Blue Devils' most consistent performer with a 42.3 average until an illness caused him to miss the second half of the season. l Brunswick missed out to Revere on the final team qualifying spot to the Pine Hills District by five strokes. Buckeye Coach: Bob Miller (1st season). Last season: 1-7, 1-7 Great Lakes Conference, 10th at GLC tournament (10th overall), 16th of 16 at J.E. Good Park D-I Sectional. Home course: Weymouth Country Club. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Matthew Csach (sr.), Luca Violi (jr.), Noah Czyrba (jr.), Grace Palermo (jr.), Andy Kost (so.). Newcomers: Blaise Bir (jr.), Joshua Wynne (so.), Ben Lange (fr.). Noteworthy: Violi qualified for the Pine Hills District as an individual after carding a 5-over-par 76 at Good Park. l The Bucks have moved their home course from Coppertop Golf Club to Weymouth. Cloverleaf Coach: Mike McGee (3rd season, 19-14 record). Last season: 9-9, 6-7 Metro Athletic Conference, 4th MAC tournament (4th overall), 14th of 16 at J.E. Good Park D-I Sectional. Home course: Bunker Hill Golf Course. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Derek Koval (sr.), Carter Whitehair (sr.), Gavin Jenkins (so.), Zane Schreck (so.). Newcomers: Logan Jenkins (fr.), Jason Matheny (fr.), Dalton Fike (fr.), Reilly Maloney (fr.). Noteworthy: With a young team, McGee is focused on course management and the mental approach to the game. l The Colts' depth could help them return to the top of the MAC after top teams Coventry and Springfield lost a fair amount to graduation. Highland Coach: Andrew Dutt (12th season, 72-24-1 record) Last season: 2-1, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st Suburban League American Conference tournaments (1st overall), 3rd of 16 at J.E. Good Park D-I Sectional, 17th of 20 at Pine Hills District. Home course: Pine Hills Golf Club. Key letterwinners lost: Ryan Przybysz (All-Gazette), Nathan Sprutte (HM All-Gazette), Drew Mamer (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Zach Butcher (All-Gazette, sr.), Luke Butcher (All-Gazette, sr.). Newcomers: Sam Amer (sr.), Austin Valore (jr.), Hyunjun Kim (jr.), Cole Fernandez (jr.), Hayden Hoit (so.). Noteworthy: Dutt has ramped up the work on course management with the team in hopes of repeating as SL American champion. l Zach Butcher fired a two-round 5-over 147 to win the championship flight at the Good Park Junior Tournament this summer. Medina Coach: Mike Mozingo (7th season, 26-8-1 record). Last season: 3-2, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st Greater Cleveland Conference tournaments (1st overall), 2nd of 16 at J.E. Good Park D-I Sectional, 7th of 20 at Pine Hills District. Home course: Fox Meadow Country Club. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Eli Zimmerman (Gazette MVP, sr.), Cam Stafford (All-Gazette, jr.), Wren Spires (All-Gazette, so.), Coen Miller (HM All-Gazette, sr.). Newcomers: Austin Funk (so.), Declan West (fr.). Noteworthy: The Bees return their top four scoring averages from last year's team that missed qualifying for the state tournament by 22 strokes. l Zimmerman tied for second at the Good Park Sectional with a 1-under 70. Wadsworth Coach: Steve Ferris (3rd season, 13-16). Last season: 3-5, 8th, 6th, 4th, 8th Suburban League National Conference tournaments (8th overall), 9th of 16 at J.E. Good Park D-I Sectional. Hope course: Pine Valley Golf Course. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Landon Blizzard (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Michael Fahey (HM All-Gazette, jr.), Cam Croley (sr.), Lukas Porter (sr.). Newcomers: Jack Ishee (sr.), Ben Stuchal (sr.), Colin Gerber (jr.), Chase Otradovec (so.), Noteworthy: With four returning lettermen, including captain Blizzard, the Grizzlies have much more experience this season. l With that experience, Ferris has ramped up the schedule with higher-profile tournaments. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.