We’re less than two weeks away from the 2023 Chagrin Valley Conference Boys Golf Preseason Tournaments.
Last fall, the CVC consisted of three divisions but the addition of Conneaut, Jefferson, and Madison led to a fourth division being created.
Here’s a look at the top returning teams and golfers in each division.
CHAGRIN DIVISION
Last season, Chagrin Falls topped Hawken for the Chagrin Division title by winning both the preseason and postseason tournaments and finishing 10-0 in duals. Orange, Perry, West Geauga, and Kirtland also competed in the division.
With the league’s expansion, Kirtland will compete in the Valley Division this fall.
Chagrin Falls’ Sven Nielsen returns after earning the Chagrin Division’s MVP award last fall. The Tigers also return Charlie Pollock, who won medalist honors at the postseason tournament and also at the Division II sectional tournament.
Nielsen shot a 163 at the Division II state tournament, good for 19th place. He is the only player from the team that placed fourth at the state tournament returning this fall.
Hawken’s Jack Zeid will make another run at CVC Chagrin Division medalist honors this fall. He finished second at the postseason tournament last season.
Other first-team all-conference selections returning this fall are Hawken’s Kevin Dang and Perry’s Garrett Rupert.
Dang tied for second at the CVC postseason tournament and he placed seventh at the Division II sectional tournament.
Orange’s Max Eisenberg, and West Geauga’s Landon Lear and Xander Hinds return after earning second-team All-CVC honors last fall. Perry’s Carson Caldwell was an honorable mention all-conference selection.
LAKE DIVISION
The new Lake Division includes Conneaut, Edgewood, Geneva, Jefferson, Lakeside, and Madison.
Edgewood won’t have the chance to defend its Valley Division title as the Warriors have moved into the Lake Division this fall.
The Warriors once again will lean on reigning Valley Division MVP Mason Feather to score low in each event. Feather claimed medalist honors at the preseason and postseason tournaments and placed 14th at the Division II sectional tournament.
Also returning for Edgewood are Sean Steed, a second-team All-CVC performer last fall, and Dalton Vencill, who earned honorable mention all-league honors.
Geneva placed third in the Valley Division but the Eagles graduated all of their all-conference performers.
Lakeside finished fifth in the Valley Division. The Dragons return first-team All-CVC performer Zack Palmer and second-teamer Jack Varckette.
Conneaut competed in Pennsylvania’s District 10 conference last fall. The Spartans return three of their four golfers who competed at the Division II sectional tournament last season in Lincoln Wade (113 at sectionals), Hayden Ciacirlla (146), and Garritt Anderson (153).
Jefferson placed sixth in the Northeast 8 Athletic Conference tournament last fall and now will compete in the Lake Division. The Falcons graduated their lone all-conference golfer and two other seniors. They return Giovanni Matticola (111 at the sectional tournament) and Evan Reid (125).
Madison joins the CVC Lake Division from the Western Reserve Conference.
The Blue Streaks return all four of their golfers who competed at the Division I sectional tournament. Nolan Thomas finished 42nd with a 98, while Adam Gibbons (103), Evan Smith (113), and Tate Chapman (116) also competed.
METRO DIVISION
This fall, Beachwood, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, and Lutheran West will compete in the Metro Division. Wickliffe was in the Metro Division last fall but will compete in the Valley Division this season.
Independence swept the league title by claiming wins in the preseason and postseason tournaments, and an 8-0 duals record.
Mark Pillar returns to lead the Blue Devils after being named the CVC Metro Division MVP and competing at the Division III state tournament.
Pillar shot a 157 to place fourth at the state tournament and also won CVC and sectional titles along the way. He earned a runner-up finish at the district tournament.
The Blue Devils also return first-team all-conference selection Liam Jenks.
Beachwood placed third behind Wickliffe in the league standings. The Bison return honorable mention All-CVC performer Ethan Malek.
Lutheran West and Cuyahoga Heights finished fourth and fifth in the division, respectively.
The Longhorns return second-teamers Ray Pavlik and Trey Kemper, and honorable mention selection J.J. Hughes.
Cuyahoga Heights returns second-teamer Eric Dill and honorable mention selections Tyler Wheaton and Nate Mandich.
VALLEY DIVISION
The CVC’s expansion left Berkshire, Cardinal, Harvey, Kirtland, and Wickliffe in the Valley Division.
Cardinal finished second in the league standings and the Huskies return a strong core of returning players including Troy Domen, who shot an 81 to place 12th at the Division III Riverview Sectional, and Matthew Hissa, who carded a 90 at the sectional tournament.
Both Domen and Hissa are returning first-team All-CVC performers.
Wickliffe moves to the Valley Division after placing second in the Metro Division last season.
The Blue Devils finished 8-2 in duals and should remain competitive this season with second-teamer Ryan Latkovich and honorable mention selection Kurt Boergert returning.
Berkshire placed fourth in the Valley Division while Harvey was sixth. Jake Patterson returns after earning first-team all-conference honors last fall and Aiden Pollock was a second-team selection.
Harvey’s top returning golfer is Joey DiAlfredi, who placed 55th at the Division I Quail Hollow sectional with a 112.
Kirtland moves back to the Valley Division after a short stay in the Chagrin Division. The Hornets return honorable mention all-conference performer Knox Crisci.
