Veteran Kewps tee off season with windy win

Hickman’s experience showed Wednesday at its season-opening meet.

The Kewpies, who tied for fifth in the Class 4 state championship last season, didn’t falter in the face of a stiff wind on the front nine at L.A. Nickell golf course.

“We have a veteran team,” Hickman coach Clark Swisher said. “We have all five guys from last year that went to state. My expectations of them are very high.”

Hickman won the four-team event with a 141. Mexico finished second with a 158, while Rock Bridge was third at 159 and Montgomery County fourth at 180.

Kewpies senior D.J. Chung and junior Kyle Kovar each shot a 1-under-par 34 to lead all competitors.

“I really like playing in tough conditions,” Chung said. “It kind of brings out who is the best golfer. It was a tough round for all of us. I think we just stayed focused and stayed patient and tried not to do too much.”

Swisher said the Kewpies, including seniors Josh Brady and Ben Merideth, junior Drew Wier and sophomore Chris Johnson, are one of the most experienced teams he has had.

“All of the kids persevered today,” Swisher said. “We adjusted today as well as anyone and I am very pleased with how all my guys are playing top to bottom.

“Our goals for this year are awful high. Our expectations are to act like champions, play like champions, persevere and go through and help the other guys. They all walked out of the clubhouse focused and played well.”

The Bruins, who have one upperclassman in their top five, were lead by junior Thomas Schuenemeyer’s 2-over-par 37. Schuenemeyer recorded the Bruins only birdie of the dayon the par-4 eighth hole.

“The greens were a little hard and fast today, which is a bit surprising because usually they’re a little slower,” Schuenemeyer said. “We’re really young and this is our first meet of the year so we can only get better from here.”

Sophomore John Trecha appeared to be heading to the clubhouse with a round in the 30s before shooting a triple-bogey on the ninth hole to finish the day with a 6-over-par 41.

“It’s always harder to play in the wind no matter what,” Rock Bridge coach Doug Daniels said. “I don’t care where you play. I’m sure they’re disappointed. Still, it’s our first varsity match so I’m sure our guys accept it and I expected there to be some errors.”