Prep Golf Preview: Eldorado rolls out new look
When you have to replace a pair of twins that took home Southern Illinois Co-Player of the Year honors a year ago, it's easy to see why the cupboards at Eldorado High School need to be restocked.
Ashton and Taylor Goodley are beginning their freshman season at Austin Peay University in Clarksville after helping lead the EHS girls golf team to a second place finish at last year's state tournament, along with Taylor Aldridge, who will be playing collegiately at Rend Lake Community College.
Eagle girls golf coach Greg Goodley feels the team still has some components back from last season, but there is still plenty of work that needs to be done.
Kileah Lowery, Jacqlyn Artman and Keeley Tate all return this season and each played in last year's state tournament in Decatur.
Last year's Class A Regional winner and the four-time Black Diamond Conference champions still have a target on their back according to Goodley.
"Kelley had a good summer in some tournaments and Jacqlyn, who ended up being our No. 4/No. 5 golfer has done a good job. We're hoping to just drop our scores as the season goes on and be able to compete for the conference once again."
In terms of goals and expectations, it all starts with winning a fifth straight BDC crown according to Goodley.
"I think if we progress like we have in the past and everybody puts in the work that they need to, we can compete for another conference title. I feel like 389 may have been what second place was last year and we shot quite lower than that to win it, but if we can get our scores under 400 for 18 holes,, that would be a good goal."
In addition to Artman (senior), Lowery (junior) and Tate (sophomore), three other golfers help round out Goodley's roster.
Ashlyn Sizemore is the lone freshman, while Derian Corn and Olivia Parker are a pair of sophomores.
The fact that Goodley has six golfers, qualifies the Eagles for team competition and he likes the idea of the girls being able to push each other in practice.
"Six is a good number," Goodley said. "The big thing for them is they all get to play, since we play six every time out all of them will get to play in a match and I think that experience is something that will help them throughout the season."
In terms of postseason competition, Eldorado will likely travel to Mt. Carmel or Union County County Club, the two sites that will host a regional, while Carterville (Crab Orchard Golf Club) will be hosting the IHSA Class A Sectional.
EHS Boys Golf
After losing just one player to graduation a year ago, EHS boys head golf coach Chad Albers fields a experienced squad, one that Albers hasn't had in quite some time.
And in trying to become the first Eldorado boys golf team to advance out of the regional since 2009, Albers and company have high expectations this year.
"My expectations are a little bit higher, just because we have everyone returning from last year," Albers said. "Last year our first match we shot 230 and by the end of the year, we were down to 195.
You could see I want to start this year. The progression is there, hopefully we can advance from that.
There's no reason with the experience I have coming back, scores and numbers shouldn't be better."
Josh Rice and Sam Coker, a pair of seniors, return for the Eagles this season. Both were part of Albers top four a year ago, along with John Amberger and Jack Mings, two juniors.
Ben Byrd and Eli Boulds, two freshman, round out Albers squad.
One more positive for Albers this season - at least in the early going - has been the amount of time his team has had to practice.
"I don't think I will have to do as much teaching as I did last year. A lot of that is because of the guys we have back, but I think it's going to be a big plus as far as being able to just go out and play and work on our game on the course instead of on the range or on the practice green."
Albers maintains that there are plenty things high on the list as far as expectations and goals are concerned with this season, but getting out of the regional as a team has become priority No. 1.
"That's certainly one of the things we have high on our list," Albers said. "Our goals have been set high this year and I believe they should be."
Hamilton County High School will be hosting the IHSA Class A Regional this season. However, the tournament will be played at Green Hills Country Club in Mt. Vernon. Union County Country Club in Anna will be hosting the sectional.
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.