Boys golf: Season preview

Three players on the Franklin boys golf team are left-handers, the oldest of those being Kadin Gibson, who again approaches the season’s tee box as the top player in the Grizzly Cubs’ lineup.

And while the No. 1 spot isn’t for everyone, it’s a well-fitted grip for the senior.

“I like being around better players, seeing what they do and just learning from them,” said the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Gibson, who averaged a score of 79.0 for last season’s Franklin squad that missed making it out of the Providence Regional after a sixth-place finish.

“When I first started (being the No. 1 player), it was pretty challenging, but I’ve sort of embraced that challenge. I’ve always been really competitive, and I just hate losing. I think I get that from my dad (Eric).”

Playing practice rounds and matches at The Legends is a form of comfort for Gibson, who pretty much grew up improving his golfing skills there.

“I really started playing, I would say, when I was 11,” Gibson said. “My grandpa (Dan Gibson) worked at The Legends when I was little. Golf just kind of complements me, I guess. There’s no other sport, I feel, where it’s just you out there playing by yourself.”

Dan Gibson ran the par-3 and driving range building for several years at The Legends. He also was involved in club fitting.

Meanwhile, his grandson starts his final varsity season on April 4 when Franklin hosts Whiteland and Franklin Central.

Kadin Gibson, who shot a score of 37-33—70 at The Legends to lead the Grizzly Cubs to a runner-up finish at the Franklin Sectional, got into an all-time zone to start the back nine, playing holes 10 through 14 at 6 under par.

He’s part of a veteran cast that includes classmates Jake Lock, Luke Bechert and Kyle Diebold, along with junior Reid Davidson.

“I’m not sure we have had a player in our boys program who has shown the personal growth over their high school career like Kadin has. He has improved tremendously from an academic and social standpoint,” said Ted Bishop, who co-head coaches the Grizzly Cubs with Crystal Morse.

“From a playing standpoint, we have never had a player make five straight birdies in a round like Gib did in the sectional, not even Damon Dickey.”

As a freshman, Gibson was unable to crack the starting lineup, which in retrospect is understandable. That Franklin team, led by Mental Attitude Award winner Dickey, went on to place 14th at the state finals.

Gibson played in the No. 3 spot for the 2022 team before taking over No. 1 duties last spring.

Over the winter, Gibson practiced indoors two or three times weekly by using one of the three golf simulators at The Legends. He considers his short game the strength of his skill set, but he is confident from driver to putter.

“I think I’m capable of averaging around 75 or 76,” Gibson said. “It’s just about working hard in practice.”

In the fall, Gibson’s commitment to improving will benefit Vincennes University. The Trailblazers, coached by Dennis Chattin since 2003, have won three junior college national championships (2013, 2016, 2018) and placed in the top seven on three other occasions.

“Honestly, I feel all aspects of my game are solid,” said Gibson, who plans to major in business. “But even on days I might not be good in one aspect, other aspects of my game make up for it.”

SCOUTING THE COUNTY

Center Grove Trojans

Coach: Matt Rodman

Last year: County, sectional and regional champion, 10th at state finals

Key returnees: Coen Bauschek, James Beetz, Brody Holubar, Noah Parsetich and Carson Poe, juniors; Nathan Springer, sophomore

Top newcomers: Drew Hardin, junior; L.J. Brennan and Louie Teed, sophomores

Outlook: The next couple of seasons could prove special for the Trojans, who return four starters from a year ago — all of them underclassmen. Holubar sizzled with a 66 to secure medalist honors at sectional, Springer carded a score of 71 at regional, and then produced a 73 and 77 to finish tied for 18th at state.

“We return four of our five starters from our state qualifier team, and have a lot of depth behind those four guys who will spend all season competing for spots in the lineup,” Rodman said. “We will play a lot of our same events this season, but are looking forward to an even more difficult schedule as we also travel to the Hall of Fame tournament and Sultan’s Run to play against some of the best teams around the state on the best golf courses.”

Edinburgh Lancers

Coach: Brad Teter

Last year: Seventh at county tournament, 11th at sectional

Key returnees: Gabe Bennett, Austin Brockman and Wyatt Burton, seniors; Trenton Schmidt, junior

Top newcomers: Dalton Elliott and Braylon Lenkner, sophomores; Garrett Liesman, freshman

Outlook: Bennett and Burton were part of last season’s postseason lineup, shooting scores of 94 and 99, respectively, at sectional. The Lancers expect to have good competition to fill the other three spots in the lineup. “A lot of our players are pretty new to golf and are pretty young,” Teter said. “I expect for us to have fun.”

Franklin Grizzly Cubs

Coaches: Ted Bishop and Crystal Morse

Last year: County, Mid-State Conference and sectional runner-up, sixth at regional

Key returnees: Luke Bechert, Conner Diebold, Kyle Diebold, Kadin Gibson and Jake Lock, seniors; Reid Davidson, junior; Jack Lock, sophomore

Top newcomer: Matthew Ferguson, freshman

Outlook: The Grizzly Cubs will once again feature a solid senior class led by Gibson, the No. 1 player in last season’s lineup. Bechert, Lock and Kyle Diebold are back to add to the team’s veteran presence, as is Davidson, a junior. Ferguson could also make immediate contributions in his first season of varsity competition.

“Franklin improved its scoring average by 16 shots a year ago, and was in a good position to win the sectional with three holes to play, and had a shot at advancing out of the regional,” Bishop said. “The team must be more consistent and eliminate untimely big holes if it expects to improve on last season.”

Greenwood Woodmen

Coach: Michael Brooks

Last year: Third at county, eighth at sectional

Key returnees: Davis Arthur, Jahlen Burton, Cruze Glidden and Roman Loper, juniors; Brayden Chase, sophomore

Top newcomers: Logan Arthur, Dru Norton and Kahlen Rowland, freshmen

Outlook: First-year coach Brooks wants the Woodmen to improve as the season progresses in order to be competitive in the Mid-State Conference. Burton, who carded a team-best 85 at lasts season’s Franklin Sectional, is one of two starters returning, the other being Davis Arthur.

Greenwood Christian Cougars

Coach: Gary Hamilton

Last year: Fourth at county and sectional tournaments

Key returnees: Ben Comerford and Noah Reed, juniors

Top newcomers: Elliott Causey, A.J. Dick and Finn Satre, freshmen

Outlook: Reed is back after qualifying for regional as a sophomore. He and Comerford will lead the Cougars as the team brings in a core of ninth-graders looking to position themselves as potential starters.

“Patience will be a key as we will be a work in progress to develop our team over the course of the season,” Hamilton said. “The standard has been set by our previous squads of our expectations as we compete in a very difficult sectional and invitationals.”

Indian Creek Braves

Coach: Jake Scott

Last year: Sixth at county, 12th at sectional

Key returnees: Kaleb Hicks, Aaron Spurgeon and Hayden Westerfeld, seniors; Will Shobe and Isaac Spurgeon, sophomores

Top newcomer: A.J. Emenhiser, freshman

Outlook: Four of the five Braves’ starters from last spring return, giving the team an opportunity to take a large step forward in the Western Indiana Conference and postseason. “I am really looking forward to this season,” Scott said. “Hayden Westerfeld and Isaac Spurgeon will be leading the charge. Hicks and Aaron Spurgeon are also looking to have breakout seasons, with Shobe and A.J. Emenhiser making huge contributions to our team.”

Whiteland Warriors

Coach: Adam Webb

Last year: Fifth at county, 10th at sectional

Key returnees: Brady Dittmer and Will Smith, sophomores

Top newcomers: Kaegan Bigler, junior; Alex Meece, sophomore; Tysen McGary, freshman

Outlook: Smith and Dittmer gained valuable varsity experience as ninth-graders last spring and will be expected to lead the Warriors this time around. “Going into the season, we could be described as young and inexperienced. With newcomers and young leaders, my expectations for this group is to improve every day,” Webb said. “We have the mindset to get better at some part of the game every practice and every match. Will Smith has individual goals for himself. I believe he has the skills and talent to compete with anyone on our schedule.”