Indy Star

 

By Patrick Dorsey

The 2009 high school boys golf season tees off this week -- weather permitting -- and should include a number of competitive teams and standout players from the Indianapolis area vying for spots in the IHSAA state finals June 16-17. Said Cathedral coach Joe Vollmer: "I don't think there's going to be any clear-cut dominant team . . . we'll have to wait and see who steps forward."
Five Indy-area teams to watch

» Cathedral: Joe Vollmer's group is the defending state champion and returns three of the five players -- defending state medalist Corey Ziedonis, 2008 sectional champ Henry Plager and Brad Gehl -- who made last year's trip. As for the other two positions on varsity, "We've got about four or five players that are really fighting it out," Vollmer said.
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» Avon: The Orioles ended the 2008 regular season as the top-ranked team in Indiana, and took second at state. They lost All-State golfers Bryan Whitt and Ronnie Harris but return two other All-State picks (Patrick Rodgers and Andrew Wegeng) and 2008 varsity player David Janney. The other two spots are up for grabs, coach Brent Sailor said.

» Hamilton Southeastern: Royals coach David Young has said no spot is guaranteed, but Hamilton Southeastern brings back four players from a team that took fifth at state: Wes Bowman, Parker Sheppard, Grant Braden and Will Kleinrichert.

» Brebeuf Jesuit: The Braves missed qualifying for state by one stroke last year, and all five players who competed in regionals -- Sam Kaiser, Chris Goodyear, Pat Hermiller, Jon Osting and Jacob Gould -- are on this year's roster.

» Roncalli: The reigning Marion County Tournament champions finished two shots out of qualifying for state last year. Four players from that squad are on this year's roster.

» Teams just missing the cut: Carmel, Center Grove, Noblesville, Warren Central and Zionsville.
Five Indy-area individuals to watch

» Corey Ziedonis, Cathedral: The 2008 All-State selection carded a 3-under 137 and won the state championship in a playoff last year as a junior. He also tied for second at regionals and is signed to play next season at Indiana University.

» Patrick Rodgers, Avon: As a freshman, Rodgers averaged about 73 strokes per round. He tied for fifth (with an even-par 140) at state, won the Center Grove Regional and the Hendricks County Tournament, and earned a spot on the All-State team.

» Henry Plager, Cathedral: A senior and a Purdue recruit, Plager tied for 10th place (at 2-over 142) at state, and won the Lawrence Central Sectional with a 3-under 70.

» Andrew Wegeng, Avon: As a junior, Wegeng posted an average of around 74. He tied for 30th place at state, finished fifth at regionals and tied for the top spot at the Hendricks County Tournament.

» Brodie Williams, Lapel: A senior and Ball State recruit, Williams reached state as an individual last year, tying for third place at regionals and finishing second at sectionals. "He's got his college choice out of the way," coach John Maryan said, "so he can relax and play."