Mehlville Golfers Look For Improved Season

Mehlville golf coach Gary Pearson feels that he has an improved squad for this spring.

However, improvements may not result in a state appearance due to the Missouri State High School Activities Association adding a sectional round for the first time this year.

"I really feel that this year's team has a chance to get three or four kids out of the district," Pearson said. "But now we have the added sectional round. We are in District 1 and have to play District 2 in sectionals and that district includes teams like Lafayette, Marquette, Chaminade, Parkway South, SLUH and CBC. It is really tough for us to compete with those teams because we do not get a lot of the country club kids that schools like that get."

Mehlville struggled through most of the 2010 season. The Panthers won just a pair of matches and did not have any golfers qualify for the state meet.

The Panthers opened this season with a loss to Fox but it came by just six strokes and Mehlville was without two of its top golfers.

"We have some good returning kids and we also have some good young players," Pearson said. "I am confident that we will compete a lot better this year and the future looks bright. One thing I am looking for this year is more consistency."

Senior Jordan McManus and sophomore Kyle Segobiano both return after playing as the team's No. 1 golfer at times last season.

"Jordan has worked hard the last couple of years on his game," Pearson said. "He is not real long off the tee but he has the ability. He has put in the time and hopefully he will play more with his head and things will come together for him this season."

"Kyle also has to work on his course management. Last year he tried to birdie every hole and I told him that even the pros don't do that. He likes to hit the driver every hole and he is an aggressive player. He is another guy with a lot of ability but he has to learn when to be aggressive and when to play things smart."

This team is an experienced one as three other seniors, Dan Packer, Mark Messler and Sam Masterson, all return with varsity experience.

Young players such as sophomore Curtis Hudwalker should also be able to make immediate contributions.

"I am just looking for continued improvement as the year goes on," Pearson said. "I always hope to be playing the best at the end of the year when it all counts."