Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Golfer of the Year Lydon Patascher of Pleasant Valley returns to headline the 2024 season that is scheduled to open today across the area.

JIM THORPE

Head coach - Dave Figura

League - Colonial League

Key losses - None

Key returnees - Anna Figura (District qualifier), Aiden Ramey, Jaxson Gehres, Mason Domski, Luke Bosi

Top newcomers - Cooper Kresge, Lea Yemm

Outlook – The Olympians will step up this season to play a more challenging schedule against bigger Colonial League schools. That being said, coach Figura says they are excited to be playing on different Lehigh Valley courses. They aren’t focused on wins and losses as much as they are on individual improvements and getting better scores as the season goes on.

Quotable – “We are going to stress having fun and promoting the game as a lifelong interest,” Jim Thorpe coach Dave Figura

LEHIGHTON

Head coach – Mark Maholick (8th year)

League – Colonial League

Key losses – Griffin Traylor (Medalist in 10 matches last season), Chloe Gustufson (four-year player), Carter Birnbaum, Noah Barndt, Aiden Rehrig.

Key returnees – Aiden Albert (Sr.), Issac Carpenter (Sr.), Mike DiAmico (So.)

Top newcomers – Slade Campbell (Fr.), Kase Klientop (Fr.), Konner Nalesnik (Jr.)

Outlook – The Indians will have a young roster this season, but Maholick is happy with the energy and excitement on the team, and feels that will be beneficial in the Indians’ first season in the Colonial League. Maholick is looking for big things from DiAmico, who has worked hard on his game while playing in GALV Tournaments this summer. Albert and Carpenter will bring experience as both will be in their third season.

Quoteable – “We’re looking to improve from last year (6-9 record), and learn to focus on the shot we are hitting and not the one we had just hit,” Lehighton coach Mark Maholick

MARIAN

Head coach: Thomas Jones

League: Schuylkill League

Key losses: Angelo Greek

Key returnees: Sam Farrone (Jr.), Alex Krapf (Jr.), Derek Yurkanin (So.), Gavin Zola (So), Wyatt Laubach (Jr.), Tyler Rebarchak (So).

Top newcomers: Colling Yurkanin (So.), Patrick Bonner (So.).

Outlook: First-year coach Jones believes the return of numerous players from last year’s team, combined with the addition of several talented newcomers will produce a successful season.

Quote: “Golf is a game for a lifetime. It is our job as coaches to teach the players not only the skills, but also the virtues of this great game,” Marian coach Thomas Jones

NORTHWESTERN

Head coach – Tim Miller (14th season)

League – Colonial League

Key losses – Erik Mather, Ethan Koslowski, Stone Sosnovik.

Key returnees – Addison Remaley (Sr.), Caden Monahan (Sr.), Gracie Scheffler (Jr.), Avri Chandler (Jr.), Cole Dynda (So.)

Top newcomers – Skylar Kern (Fr.), Trent Croll (So.)

Outlook – Despite the loss of a trio of experienced golfers who have made quite an impact the last several years, Miller is excited about the returnees and feels they have the ability to fill the holes that graduation has created and allow the Tigers to stay competitive in a very good Colonial League.

Quoteable – “Our returning letterean will form a great nucleus for the team. With a full season of tournament golf behind them, I believe they are poised to lead us to a winning record,” Northwestern coach Tim Miller

PALMERTON

Head coach – Alex Knoll (10th season)

League – Colonial League

Key losses – Jared Reinhard (District runner-up; State qualifier); Aiden Leister

Key returnees – Jared Grammes (So.), Tucker DeSousa (So.), Bryce Silliman (Sr.), Luke Matsko (Jr.), Corey Serfass (Sr.), Ashton Lesher (Sr.)

Top newcomers – Joey Solt (Fr.)

Outlook – The Bombers enter 2024 with the mindset of bouncing back from last season’s 5-9 mark and returning to the successful run of seasons that proceeded it. Coach Knoll believes this year’s depth and experience will make that possible. Knoll said the team has been focusing on eliminating course management mistakes, with the goal of having several players with the potential to break the 80-stroke barrier.

Quoteable – “We want to improve on last year’s record, and make a run as a team of returning to leagues and districts. We are also looking forward to a great season developing life-long golfers,” Palmerton coach Alex Knoll

PANTHER VALLEY

Head coach – Greg Surotchak

League- Schuylkill League.

Key losses – Drew Kokinda (State qualifier)

Key returnees - Brenna McAndrew (District qualifier), Connor Pemberth, Brooklyn Surotchak, Cameron Cooper.

Outlook – PV will come up against top-level teams such as Blue Mountain and Lourdes this fall in efforts to equal or improve upon last year’s 5-5 record. Third-year coach Surotchak will install a “new model” that will focus on individual growth and reasonable goals. Surotchak said the only expectation he has for his golfers is to have fun during each match.

Quotable – “Attitude will have everything to do with our success. We’re not setting any win total goals. We will play to stay positive and have fun,” Panther Valley coach Greg Surotchak

PLEASANT VALLEY

Head coach – Steve Krechel

League - Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

Key losses - Ben Bush, Mike Pomillio

Key returnees – Lydon Patascher (Time News Player of the Year), Austin Balanca, Scotty Schenk, Cole Speicher, Matt Phelps, Noah Conklin

Top newcomers – Drew Patascher

Outlook - The Bears are primed for a good season, but according to coach Krechel, it will all depend upon who can step up to contribute in the No. 4 and No. 5 slots, and replace the solid and consistent scoring they received a year last year from graduates Ben Bush and Mike Pomillio.

Quotable – “The kids have worked hard all summer and are excited to get started,” Pleasant Valley coach Steve Krechel.

TAMAQUA

Head coach - Matt Stine

League - Schuylkill League

Key losses - Peter McGinley, Blaise Gigli, Ethan DiBonifazio

Key returnees - Noah Steigerwalt (Sr.), Max Najarro (Sr.), Mason Yachera (Sr.), and Ignatius Neifert (Sr).

Top newcomers - Kenny Bailey (So.), Jacob Fritzinger (Fr.)

Outlook - Coach Stine is counting on a strong senior presence to lead the Blue Raiders this season. He is also encouraged by the young talent in the program and hopes that combination can lead to a successful season.

Quotable - “There are several solid teams in our league this year. Schuylkill Haven is the defending champion and is returning several of their players from last year. However, I am very encouraged by what I’ve seen during the summer workouts from our team,” Tamaqua coach Matt Stine

WEATHERLY

Head coach – Brian Kaminski

League – Schuylkill League

Key losses – Tyler Hinkle

Key returnees – Jacob Hinkle (So.), Matt Adler (So.), McKenna Gerhard (Jr.)

Outlook – The Wreckers are looking to improve on last season’s 0-10 record and start building for the future with a solid, young nucleus of players. Kaminski knows his young players will have some growing pains in a very competitive Schuylkill League Division 2, but is looking for continued growth and improvement as the season goes on.

Quotable – We rebuilt before and will start the process again this season, but we have what I believe is a nice young team to work with,” Weatherly coach Brian Kaminski