By RYAN WALKER
Norwell’s golf team opened the season with a convincing victory over Wayne Tuesday night.
The Knights scored a 175, which was good for a 40-stroke win over the Generals. Bellmont scored a 173, but the score did not count due to the teams being in the same conference and this was not a Northeast 8 competition.
Like all spring sports so far, the team hasn’t been able to get outdoors much for practice, but that didn’t stop the Knights from a solid effort on night No. 1.
“For really not having any outdoor practice and not having any scores to put in, I think they played maybe on par with about what I was thinking they’d play,” head coach Daniel Schmidt said. “I saw some good swings and some good putts, and actually some good short game — which I was not expecting … Overall, I was pleased with how the guys played. I thought it was a good first day of it.”
A likely answer for the strong start is the returning experience to the varsity squad that qualified for regionals a season ago. Four of the five from the starting lineup returned, losing only Ethan Ottinger by graduation.
Ottinger ended up as the top scorer in that early June regional meet, but the consistant No. 1 and No. 2 guys from last year were Derek Smith and Cooper Sloan. Plus, strong years from Chase Hulvey and Ashton Federspiel will pad the middle-to-back end of the lineup. Bodie Zimmer will be the potential five-spot for the Knights, but Schmidt shares that his depth from last year’s junior varsity squad could make the lineup card interesting.
“Losing Ethan was a hit as a consistent player and put up good scores, but we’ve got a good returning cast,” Schmidt said.
Against Wayne, Smith was the leader for the Knights with a score of 42, while Sloan came in right behind him at 43. Hulvey settled in with a 44, and Bodie Zimmer and Cavin Smithley dropped 46s. Federspiel was absent due to a prior commitment off the golf course.
With a strong, experienced group, Schmidt would like to compete better in the conference and overall this year. In regular matches, the team went 6-6 and 2-5 in the Northeast 8. Including invitationals, the team was 33-23.
Schmidt said that the team has gotten stronger and has impressed him overall in the first match, hitting the weight room and driving the ball more. He also noted that their play has matured for what he’s seen in now his second season as head coach.
“I’d like to be somebody that’s seen as a perennial get out of the sectional team,” Schmidt said. “I’d like to make a better showing in the conference than last year. I think I have the talent to do that.”
Norwell’s first conference solo matchup of the season won’t have to wait. The Knights visit Columbia City starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 11.
