Orange graduated five seniors from last season leaving the Lions in a bit of a rebuilding year but the young golfers stepping into the lineup are ready for the challenge.
“We’re young and inexperienced but a hard-working group who will give everything they have,” said 18th-year head coach Rick Clark. “They have to fight through the inexperience and believe they belong on the varsity stage.”
The Lions were 8-4 last year and finished third in the Chagrin Valley Conference. They return just one starter and one letter winner from last fall.
Senior Kyle Haddon steps into the No. 1 spot after playing in the six-hole last season. He played with the Lions in the 2017 district tournament. He tied for second in last week’s CVC preseason tournament.
“Kyle is being asked to play No. 1 this year after playing No. 6 last year and will battle every step of the way,” Clark said.
Juniors Iian Gen and Alex Proels and freshmen Jackson Fellinger and Jack Stover round out the top five for the Lions.
Gen and Proels both played JV last season.
“Ilan loves the game and is determined to improve this year,” Clark said. “Alex makes his varsity debut and is ready for the challenge.”
Fellinger and Stover both will be counted on to contribute.
“Jackson is a very exciting freshman who will have the chance to play varsity all season and gain a lot of experience,” Clark said. “Jack, brother of Ben Stover who graduated last year, is another freshman who has the tools to have a long and successful varsity career.”
