EATON — The 2015 Eaton Golf team will be relying on strong senior leadership and young talent to help the team get back to the district tournaments and beyond.
Head coach Randy Titkemeyer said the goals for the team this year are quite simple — compete for the SWBL title, make a return team visit to districts, and send a couple of individuals back to the state tournament.
Titkemeyer said he hopes the sibling pair of Cameron and Sarah Willis are both able to get back to the state tournament as they did a year ago.
Titkemeyer said the siblings are poised for a big year on the course, and perhaps their best attribute is their work ethic off the field, as the two continue to get better each year.
The pair certainly got off to a strong start during the Miamisburg Invitational at the Pipestone Golf Course on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Cameron led the Eagles to an overall team victory by shooting a one under par, 71. Sarah finished just behind shooting a 73, for one over par.
Trevor Pittman shot an 82 while Sean Hodges shot an 84 to help secure the overall team victory. The Eagles as a team shot 310 securing a victory in the 22 team event during the first event of the season.
Both Pittman and Hodges were targeted as vital parts to the team chances of making a return to the district team championships. Pittman joins Cameron and Sarah Willis as key returners to the club who advanced to districts last season.
Titkemeyer said the team is looking for good things from Sean Hodges, as he joins the three returners to help complete the team’s top foursome in tournaments.
Other seniors on the team include, Max Faddin, Tyler Springmier and Houston Durham.
The team continued to find early success in the season as the went on to win the Ridge Classic at KittyHawk on Friday, Aug. 14. The team finished with a total score of 328 and was led by Sarah Willis who shot a 76, good enough for second overall, and Pittman who shot a 79, placing fourth overall.
The team was able to win despite the absence of their number golfer Cameron Willis who was preparing for play the U.S. Amateurs Open on Aug. 17-18 and hopefully beyond. Willis’ tee time was 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, and no updates were available at press time.
The Eagles also got second for Division II at the Warrior Jaguar Classic on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Titkemyer said the team has been practicing well in the summer, continues to improve and seems to be ready to make a statement heading in the SWBL this year.
He said his team will know more about where they stand for the season when they take on Oakwood on Aug. 31, a match he says might be the biggest match of the year for the team.
