Led by freshman Dylan Phillips, the Wolverines are shooting low scores and recently defeated the Chagrin Falls Tigers.
The West Geauga Wolverines Golf Team is off to a great start this season.
Led by freshman Dylan Phillips, the Wolverines are shooting low scores and recently defeated the Chagrin Falls Tigers.
In addition, in the Wolverines recent match against the Hawken Hawks at Fowler’s Mill Golf Course on Aug. 21, Phillips earned medalist honors as he shot a 33, two under par.
In describing his excellent round against the Hawks, Phillips emphasized that his ball striking was very good.
Just how good was Phillips’ ball striking?
Phillips drove the green on the par 4 7th hole and then hit his tee shot to within a foot of the cup on the par 3 eighth hole.
“I drove the green on 7, hit it about 320 (yards) to about 15 feet,” said Phillips. “Two putted there for birdie. Then on the next hole, I stuck it to about a foot, and buried that putt. Got a clutch up and down on the last hole. That was pretty nice.”
With Phillips excellent round of two under, Head Coach Jay Kletecka said that the Wolverines’ 164 against the Hawks was their lowest score of the year.
“Dylan shooting two under par, 33, is just amazing,” said Kletecka.
Coach Kletecka said that in addition to Phillip’s low scores, he has contributed greatly to how his teammates have begun to approach the game.
“Just watching him hit and attack the pins and his ability has taken things to the next level,” said Kletecka. “Ever since he has come to practice, everything for us has been elevated which has been amazing. Just his presence has really helped our guys better understand how to control the golf course.”
In addition to Phillips’ excellent round against the Hawks, he also led the Wolverines to a second place finish in the NEO Futures Kickoff Classic Tournament at Briardale Greens Golf Course.
Phillips’ round of 70 (34-36) led the Wolverines to a 312 second place finish for the tournament, just two shots behind Perry.
Coach Kletecka said that in 16 years of leading Wolverines Golf, the NEO Futures Tournament score of 312 was the best tournament round he has coached.
In addition to Phillips shooting a 70, senior golfer Landon Lear also shot in the 70s at the NEO Futures Kickoff Classic Tournament.
“We played really well, obviously led by Dylan, he’s playing amazing this year,” Lear said. “So that’s amazing to play behind him. Our team played really well that day and I was happy with second place.”
Coach Kletecka said that the positive team chemistry that has been developed between the senior, Lear, and the freshman, Phillips has been instrumental in motivating the rest of the team to strive for success.
With the excellent team chemistry and high level of play on the course, Wolverines Golf defeated Chagrin Falls for the first time since Kletecka has been coaching.
“That by far was an outstanding win for our guys,” said Coach Kletecka. “I think they understood the significance of it and that they had the ability to come out and compete. And it came down to the last group and we ended up pulling it off by four shots (167-171).”
He continued: “By far, probably one of the most exciting wins I think I have ever had coaching here at West G.”
In the victory over the Tigers, the Wolverines were led by Phillips (37), Lear (42) and JJ Rubinski (42).
As the Wolverines have had an excellent and exciting start, Phillips is optimistic about the rest of the season ahead.
“I want this team to go far in the playoffs and win a bunch of matches,” said Phillips. “Just looking to go very far.”
