Fairway-splitting
returners make Wildcats a team to respect on links
BY ED WRIGHT
April 21, 2010, 3:25 p.m.
If the Plymouth boys golf
team's season goes anywhere near as well as one of Craig Whatley's tee
shots Tuesday, the Wildcats are in for a memorable season.
Whatley, a sophomore, registered an ace during a round at Mystic
Creek Golf Course, possibly setting the tone for a great season for the
'Cats.
"Our ultimate team goals for this year are to win the division
and qualify for the state tournament at MSU," said head coach Chris
Moore, who has directed the program since Plymouth in 2002. "We have a
great group of kids. They work hard on the course and in the classroom.
"I am proud to be a part of this team and the direction in which
we are going."
Leading the pack of eight returning players is junior Justin
Bauer, who qualified for the Division 1 state tournament as a sophomore.
The squad includes three experienced seniors: James Bryans, Ryan
Bauer and Trevor Birdwell.
Also returning are Whatley, junior Nick Conroy, and sophomores
Josh Heinze and Nate Brocci.
Among those vying for varsity spots are Derek Austin, Peter
Watts, Steven Kirsch, Adam Skubik, Colin Wright and Zach Vojcek.
"Kyle Rodes and Ryan Rieckhoff both will be competing on the
varsity level as well," added Moore. "Both have tremendous
ability and a great knowledge of the game."
Gunnar Savalox is another ninth-grader who has varsity-level
skill, Moore noted.
Providing depth for the Wildcats will be Eric Thompson, CJ
Thompson, Ryan Riva, Mark Thompson, Joel Simpson, Thomas Wolf, Michael
Wolf and Tommy Dean.
Plymouth opened its season April 15 with a 153-164 victory
over Livonia Churchill at Whispering Willows Golf course in
Livonia. Scoring for the Wildcats were Heinze (37), Ryan
Rieckhoff (38), Bryans (39), Ryan Bauer (39), Kyle Rodes (40) and
Justin Bauer (41).
The Wildcats' junior varsity team edged the Chargers, 179-180.
Scoring for the 'Cats were Whatley (41), Austin (42), Savalox
(46), Brocci (50), Kirsch (51) and Eric Thompson (52).
