The Indian River golf team continues to muster up solid play as they move forward in the season, scoring low numbers on Friday, May 3, against Laurel and Monday, May 7, at Milford. Smarter decisions and powerful play have been in evidence, as the Indians, headed by Coach Neil Beahan, move even closer to clenching a third consecutive Southern Division championship.
Richard Webster had a 39, leading the Indians in their win over Milford.The Indians managed a score of 167-190 over Laurel in last Thursday’s home match and nipped Milford 171-175 on the road this past Monday at Shawnee Country Club. Beahan and crew had pulled off a victory against Milford just one week prior, when they hosted the Buccaneers and Delmar Christian in a tri-match.
Senior Richard Webster led the pack on Monday with a solid 39. Drew Gibbons and Matt Binstead, both seniors as well, followed close behind with a 43 and 44, respectively. Sophomore Connor Vanderhook added to the win with a steady 45. The victory brought the up to Indians 8-4.
Beahan noted that the team’s performance has continued to strengthen as the season moves progressed. “I’m very pleased with how the guys have turned around,” he said. “This late in the season, the seniors could be dogging it, but they’re not. All of them are really playing well.”
After two consecutive losses near the end of April, Beahan addressed his players, implying that some changes needed to take place. The confrontation appeared to have an immediate effect.
“They realized that they are in this together,” Beahan said. “I asked them what I could do as a coach. They knew they had the ability. They came out relaxed and that gave them confidence.”
It’s not only the matches where the team’s stepping up the performance.
“The guys are focusing on what they need to fix at practice,” said Beahan. “They know that they need to play at practice like it was a match, and for the most part, they’re doing it.”
The team now sits with their conference fate in their own hands. A home match Wednesday, May 16, against Seaford would help determine rankings at States, though the real test will come this Friday, May 11, when the Indians travel to face Southern contender Smyrna.
“The winner of the South conference is most likely going to be determined at that match,” said Beahan. “We’ve got to show up with our game.”
An un-rescheduled Dover match that was canceled earlier in the season would also give the Beahan an idea of where he and his team sit.
“That would be a big game for us,” he said, though time restrictions have inhibited a rescheduled date for the match-up. “Dover’s a really good team, and I wish we’d get the chance to play them.”
Following their match at Smyrna, Indian River will travel to Seaford for their last regular season match on Wednesday, May 16. The Henlopen Athletic Conference (HAC) championship between the North and South conference winners will be held next Friday, May 18, at 3:30 p.m. at Baywood Greens in Long Neck.