By John Raffel
Lansing Catholic is going for a three-peat as Division 3 golf champion. New coach Kim Johnson realizes it won’t be easy.
Catholic won the title last season with rounds of 313 and 320 for a 633 total. It had two golfers in the top 10, Patrick Gillespie (152) and Brent Marshall (156).
“Everyone is back,” Johnson said. “The only one we graduated was Brent Marshall.”
Others shooting for Lansing Catholic last year were Niko Voutsaras (160), Owen Rush (165) and Adam Elias (173).
The boys are truly excited about this year,” Johnson said. “We have six seniors, including three that played in the state finals. They are truly excited about the opportunity to compete for a third time. We have people competing for varsity spots. We have a freshman who will also compete for a varsity spot. It’s competitive, but they also try to help each other.”
Back from last season are Elias, Gillespie, and Voutsaras. All three are seniors. Rush, a junior, also returns.
Voutsaras “is very focused,” Johnson said. “He has great ball-striking skills. He’s working on his short game. We realize your short game has to get better to compete at the state championship level. He’s team-oriented.”
Johnson said that Elias is also team-oriented. “He’s a hard-working individual. He’s focused and has a great capacity to clear his mind and stay focused when he makes his shots.
“Gillespie is hard-working individual with a great talent and good ball-striking skills,” Johnson continued. “He’s on the low key side but is extremely supportive of his team. He’s helpful in giving support to the team.”
Rush is also a hard worker, Johnson added. “He practices extremely hard. He wants to compete at the next level when he graduates. He tries to perfect the game. And he needs to work on his short game, of course.”
Johnson had been an assistant coach for the girls’ team and came over to coach the boys. He acknowledged that it’s a little different going from coaching golf in the fall to coaching in the spring. “It’s a little adjustment to understand their mentality and how they do business.”
Elias shot a 156 at the 2013 state finals, while Voutsara also played on that team and fired a 161. Marshall shot a 174 for the 2013 squad in the state finals, and his graduation after 2014 will make it necessary for the Cougars to find someone who can fill the gaps he left.