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And they're off - Local golfers looking for a big year

BY GEARY DENISTON, For The Southern

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:49 AM CDT

The condition of prep golf is good in Southern Illinois these days. In fact, it might be said it's great with three girls' teams, one boys' team and nine other individuals ready to battle for spots at the state tournament in October.

Fans of girls' golf will get a double treat this year with both state tournaments being held in the area October 17-18. The Class A tournament is being hosted by Hickory Ridge Golf Course and the Class AA by Stone Creek Golf Club.

For the boys, Mason Jacobs finished his prep career at Massac County by winning his third straight state title and his first in Class AA. As a team, Massac County finished second, only four strokes behind Normal University after winning the Class A title the previous year.

Despite losing Jacobs, Eli Glass (tied for 17th) and Calvin Weintjes (t-65th), first-year Massac County coach Brandon Thompson, who replaced longtime coach J. R. Conkle, still has senior Dustin Korte.

Korte finished tied for seventh last year and second behind Jacobs the year before.

"It's big shoes to fill after the last two years but with arguably having the second best player in the state in Dustin we are looking to ride his coattails this year," Thompson said.

Returning from last year's top six are sophomores Dalton Shockley and Quincy Glass. Also returning are junior Adam McManus and sophomores Alex Hahn, Ryan Kline, Dirk Eickholz and Hayden Farmer.

"We have are an extremely young team, but we think we will be very competitive this year," Thompson said.

The region had several others who qualified for the state tournament last year, including Carmi senior Jake Smock (t-18th), Sparta junior Kaleb Kessler (t-39th) and West Frankfort junior Jordan Williams (t-54th) in Class A and Benton senior Shane Dyel (t-96th) in Class AA.

For the girls, Marion finished second in Class AA to Normal University. Cassie Rushing finishing tied for eighth as a sophomore last season.

Marion coach Mary Thomason lost only Haley Sipe from last year's team and will return not only Rushing, but her twin sister Ashleigh (t-35th), junior Campbell Hunt (t-33rd) and senior Lauren Bond (t-45th).

"Our score at state was second best in history so with Normal graduating the bulk of their team, my girls are thinking about the first place trophy," Thomason said. "While you can't replace players like Haley my girls coming back have all lowered their averages this summer and as a team will compensate for Haley. In fact, in our second practice we would have set the school record if it counted."

Thomason also has a strong lineup waiting in the wings in senior Melissa Sharpe and juniors Hannah Pool, Kaitlyn Lowery, Kaitlyn McCurdy, Leah Johns and Shelby Phelps.

In Class A, the area had two teams finish in the top 10 with Okawville taking fifth and Massac County sixth. In addition, Okawville's Shaina Rennegarbe tied for fourth, only 10 strokes off the pace and Massac County's Dawn Weintjes tied for 10th.

Even though Rennegarbe is back for her senior year, Okawville coach Dave Blumhorst has the task of replacing four seniors including his daughter, Marci Blumhorst, who finished tied for 27th. He has only senior Christy Hood (32nd) returning and four freshmen competing for the top four.

"Last year we had a great regular season going 20-1 and finished only three shots out of third place at state for back-to-back fifth place finishes," Blumhorst said. "This year Shaina would tell you she would be disappointed not being in the final group for the state championship. She has a good shot at it and I expect Christy to be qualifying too if we don't make it as a team."

Massac County coach Kim Hille has a better situation, losing only Mallory Gentry who finished tied for 18th. She returns juniors Taylor King (t-58th) and Tala Mumford (t-84th) along with senior Brett Windhorst, sophomore Memry Stoll and freshmen Autumn Laird and Elaney Somer.

"Dawn is very consistent and will be our senior leader," Hille said. "I have high hopes for her and think she will carry the team this year. Taylor improved tremendously last year and is ready to go. Tala was my most improved last year and has worked hard over the summer to be ready this year."

In Class A, Pope County senior Hillary Powles (17th), Sparta senior Kristin Bayless (t-33rd), Nashville junior Keeghan May (t-33rd), Carterville senior Natalie Hendricks (t-48th) and Sparta junior Taylor Martin (t-67th) all qualified for the state tournament last year.