Springfield golfers trying to recapture early success
By Jeff Gorman
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield High School boys golf team has enjoyed a strong season, and the Spartans will challenge for the Portage Trail Conference (PTC) championship Sept. 19 at Sable Creek Golf Course.
The Spartans have a 12-5 overall record with a 12-4 mark in the PTC. Springfield hosted a three-way match against Kent Roosevelt and Southeast high schools Sept. 10 at Chenoweth Golf Course in Green. Kent won the meet with a 164, with Springfield four strokes behind. Southeast finished with a 186. Senior Cody Cutright led the Spartans with a 37, followed by fellow seniors Doug Warner (41), Fred Kungl (42) and Taylor Harris (48).
“Cody has been shooting between 35 and 38 almost every match,” said Springfield coach Bob MacLaren. “Fred has also been shooting around 28-29 for us.”
Cutright is the captain of the team, which also includes juniors Tyler Pennington and Zack Cope and sophomores Jonathan Roan and Adam Rosen. “The highlight of our season so far came early in the year when we beat Kent Roosevelt,” said MacLaren. “That is usually the power team in the league.
“Overall, the best highlight has been the way we have been competitive in every match, he added. “Throughout much of the season, we have had two guys in the 30s and two in the low 40s, and that has been good enough to win.”
However, the Spartans’ strong play from the first portion of the season has cooled off lately.
“I’m not sure what the answer is,” said MacLaren. “I was hoping things would start to work themselves out, but the season is coming to an end soon.
“This league is pretty close this year,” he added. “Southeast is in the top half with us, along with Kent and Crestwood. Norton is starting to come on, too.”
Experience has been the key to the Spartans’ success this year, according to their coach.
“I’ve had these seniors for all four years,” said MacLaren. “Usually, it takes over a year to learn to play well. Still, we are in a quagmire right now, and we need to get out of it.”
Despite that statement, MacLaren feels confident Springfield can mount a strong challenge to Kent at the PTC tournament.
“We are going to give them a run,” he said. “We are capable, and I will do my best to get us ready.”
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