Creve Coeur Area Golf Teams Teeing It Up in 2011

Despite this spring's unpredictable weather so far, the local high school golf season is for 2011 is getting underway. Patch caught up with a pair of Creve Coeur squads earlier this week at . joined defending Class 2 state champion, in a quad match, which also saw Lutheran North and MICDS in competition.

Whitfield coach Harold Barker enjoys the return of his top two golfers in juniors Mitch Rutledge and Jake Andrews.

Rutledge was first team All-Metro last season and finished fifth in state. Barker sees Rutledge as the anchor of the squad.

"We're real excited about Mitch this year, he's probably got several rounds in the 60's in his bag, and he will be a big part of our hopes to repeat at state," said Barker.

Andrews took seventh place at state last season, and while he typically finishes a couple strokes behind Rutledge, the competition provides an interesting dynamic for the Whitfield team.

"They (Rutledge and Andrews) work well together, push each other, and help each other very well," said Barker.

Heading to the first tee at Bellerive this week the tandem offered some thoughts on the hard work it will take to follow-up on last season.

"This year, there's more expected from us to teach the younger kids on the team, and to help them learn to make good decisions, whether out on the course or in practice," said Rutledge.

"We lost several seniors and while we have some strong freshman like Nick (Coonan) and Nate (Schmidt) we'll need to make sure those young guys have the leadership to play at their highest levels," added Andrews.

Whitfield's number three player is senior Alex Sarr. Barker identified Sarr as the team captain, and noted the senior has made some huge improvements in his game of late.

While Whitfield's schedule is difficult with the Lake Forest Invitational April 4, and the Bulldog Battle at Winghaven on April 11, Barker said the team normally puts together a tough set of events each season to prepare for district and state competition.

De Smet also follows up on a strong 2010 season, in which the Spartans won the Metro Catholic Conference, and finished second at districts and took third place in the Class 4 state tournament.

De Smet is looking to a pair of returning players for leadership in senior Scott Hamel, and junior Nick Arman. Their coach Frank Hawkey said that success in 2011 will depend on these two players playing up to their potential.

"I feel they could be two of the top players around town this year...they work hard, the whole team really works hard, and the time and effort they're putting into their games should produce results," said Hawkey.

Hawkey also singled out seniors Mike Odenwald, who suffered a disappointing 2010 season but looks to be on track coming into this spring, and Mike George, as players hoping to finish off their Spartan golf careers in strong fashion.

The high school golf season moves quickly, and while many players enter with a lot of potential, consistency is what matters as competition heads into districts. Both Whitfield and De Smet hope to demonstrate they have what it takes to deliver outstanding results again in 2011.