Score one for the youngsters as Hawks surprise at IVC preseason tourney
By Dave Mast
August 17, 2012
540
One score at the annual Inter-Valley Conference Preseason Golf Tournament at Wilkshire Golf Course in Zoar was not surprising. That would be the 312 score posted by the Garaway Pirates, a team lush with State tournament appearances and All-Ohioans dotting the lineup almost annually.
The Pirates cruised to victory in the preseason opener, easily getting past second place Ridgewoods 325.
The score that may have shocked many was 333, a number posted by a youthful Hiland team that graduated five of its six starting members last season.
That score would be good enough for fourth place, just four shots in back of Strasburgs 329 third place finish.
As a coach you always think positive when it comes to your squad, but the 333 certainly was a great way for Austin Kaufmans group to show that they belong despite a lack of returning talent.
The name of the game for the Hawks was consistency, and even though they didnt have anyone blister the course, they did post five scores under 90, led by senior Eric Schlabach, who came off the junior varsity to put up some impressive numbers.
Tyler Grate, a junior, is the lone returning letterman for the Hawks, and he came home in 83, just one shot behind Schlabach.
But what Kaufman had to love was the way his youngsters responded. Sophomores Adam Grate (83), Mark Schlabach (85) and Brandon Raber (88) all performed admirably in helping the Hawks to a very respectable finish.
The 333 total was ahead of Sandy Valley (342), Tuscarawas Central Catholic (342), Malvern (344) and Newcomerstown (450), and Kaufman hopes that this finish can catapult his team to great things this season despite having a bunch of experience at the varsity level.
