By Kyle Nevins
The Apache golf team headed into this season with a lot of expectations, having placed seventh in the national tournament last season. Based on their opening matches, they should live up to those expectations.
This year’s team has three returning players returning and a strong recruiting class.
IVCC veterans are Tom Bartman of Ottawa, T.J. Templeton of L-P and Josh Wheeler of Normal U-High. Newcomers include Tony Andreoni from St. Bede, Jesse Cavanaugh and Jeremy Debernardi of Ottawa, Tim Eckberg of Bureau Valley, Tim Puetz of L-P and Jim Thompson from Hall.
In their most recent match, Sept. 7 in the Parkland Invitational, the Apache men finished third with a score of 305. John A. Logan College won with a 299 and Rend Lake was second with 303.
Leading the Apaches was first medalist Wheeler who shot a 72. Puetz (76), Debernardi (78), Bartman (79) and Cavanaugh (81) founded out the scoring.
"Day in and day out, Josh wheeler is one of the best community college players in the nation," Apache coach Jim Moskalewicz said. "He rarely strays from part and is able to score well, even when his game is not necessarily sharp. That is the mark of a very good player."
On Aug. 28, the Apaches entered two teams in the Black Hawk College Duane Chaney Invitational, finishing third and 11
th.The "A" team, with a score of 292, finished behind St. Ambrose (285) and Palmer (288). The "B" team shot 317.
Leading the "A" team was fifth medalist Wheeler shooting 71. Cavanaugh (72), Debernardi (73), and Thompson (76) rounded out the scoring.
Scores for the "B" team were: Puetz, 75; Eckberg, 79; Templeton, 80; and Andreoni, 83.
"I’m pleased with this finish," Moskalewicz said. "Two-hundred seventy-two is a solid score and will win most tournaments. If we continue to shoot in the low 290’s, we will be very competitive in the NJCAA."
In the season opener on Aug. 25, the "A" team tied for sixth place in the Highland 36, held at Park Hills in Freeport. The team’s 36-hole total was 616. The tourney was won by the defending national champions, Indian Hills Community College of Iowa with a 586.
IVCC was led by fourth medalist Cavanaugh, shooting 147. Bartman (151), Wheeler (153), Thompson (157), Debernardi (157), Templeton (159), Eckberg (159), Puetz (160), and Andreoni (170) rounded out the scoring.
"I truly believe we will compete with Indian Hills, and any other team in the nation," the coach said. "With the exception of Jesse (Cavanaugh), out kids were nowhere close to playing up to their potentials, and I think it is encouraging that we can be off and can still compete with most any team out there."
Moskalewicz said he is looking forward to the rest of the season.
"I would like to see the rest of our team step it up a notch to provide Josh (Wheeler) with a little stronger support. This team is loaded with talent, but is lacking consistency at this point."
Following the Apaches’ third place finish in their most recent match, Moskalewicz said, "Third place isn’t bad, but it isn’t first either. I have faith in these kids, though, and I know it’s only a matter of time before they taste victory."