By Peter Fusilero

Executive Sports Editor

The girls’ golf team has taken home a first and second place state trophy in the past two years. That’s been a tough act to follow for the boys, who haven’t been able to capture a first place team trophy since 1976.

But with a new team and new leaders, they are hoping that hard work during practice and during the regular season will help them come regionals, and potentially sectionals and state.

“Sometimes we get too focused on too much of the place we want to go instead of the process,” head coach Tom Martindale said. “Whether we get [to state] or not, we have to take it day by day and keep getting better.”

Coming off an individual 20th place finish last year in state, senior Josh Johnson is hoping his experience will help lead the team.

“Leadership is going to be big this year. We have some more inexperienced players than in year’s past,” Johnson said. “I’ll do anything I can to help them.”

Even though the majority of varsity last year were of the seniors who graduated, Grant Gavin will be the only incoming junior who will have had that experience.

“I know a lot of the courses we play and I just feel a little bit more comfortable,” Gavin said.

The team looks to be in an even more “comfortable” position considering the regional is in their own backyard.

“We’ve been playing [at Mount Prospect’s golf course] for I don’t know how many years,” Johnson said. “It’s home field advantage. We know every position on this course, so I think it’s going to calm us down.”

The boys’ next home meet is this Saturday against New Trier. With a strong showing in the beginning of the season amongst the varsity, Martindale is definitely confident.

“They’ve put in some good practices and good scores this summer,” Martindale said. “They have to perform when their name is called. There’s a number of guys of whom it can be. They’re all aware of it and I think they’re hungry.”