Coming off a course-record 61, Trojans’ Green primed for big year

Southeastern senior Avery Green has already established himself as one of the top high school golfers in the area, and his goal this summer was to see how he stacked up against the best of his peers in Ohio and Indiana.

He played in about a dozen junior tournaments sponsored by the Southern Ohio PGA and Golf Week and won five times with five other top-10 finishes. In the SOPGA junior championship in July, he shot 75-74 at Beavercreek Golf Course to finish in a tie for second.

»RELATED: KR golf teams struggling to field teams

But while all those efforts were rewarding, the round that proved to himself that he’s taken his game to another level occurred at Locust Hills, a 36-hole facility near South Charleston where the Trojans play their home matches. He shot 11-under-par 61 for the lowest score ever recorded on the 6,241-yard Maple Course.

“When I finished, I honestly didn’t believe what I just did,” he said. “I shot 64 a couple times before that and thought to myself, ‘I don’t know if I can shoot better than that.’ It was crazy. I’ve never played golf like that in my life.”

The round took place in a men’s best-ball group where no gimmes or fudging of the rules is allowed.

“They’re not going to let you get away with anything there,” sixth-year Southeastern coach Vince Banion said. “A legit 61, that’s pretty impressive. He’s become really comfortable at Locust Hills, that’s for sure.”

Avery tied a school record with an average of 36.4 while being named Ohio Heritage Conference South Division Player of the Year last season. The Trojans have three other battle-tested seniors, meaning a title in the ultra-competitive OHC is within reach.

Tray Thompson qualified for the district last year, while Chase Billet and Tyler Blankenship can be counted on to shoot sub-45 scores. Senior Gage Cassell joined the team last year and contributed, while junior Ethan Spracklen also is expected to be a regular.

“I’ve played a lot with Tray, and he’s definitely improved,” Green said. “He was good last year, and I was wondering if that was as good as he was going to get, but he’s even better this year.”

The Trojans qualified for the state for only the third time in their history two years ago (they won the 1987 Division III title), and they could be Columbus-bound again if they can get strong play from the back end of their lineup.

“I feel good knowing we’re going to have a lot of experience,” Banion said. “My four guys — Avery, Tray, Chase and Tyler — have been playing all four years. They’ve played a lot of golf. I know their swings and know how help them.”

Green is someone who likely won’t need many pointers. He’s being recruited by Division I colleges with several offering scholarships.

He generates plenty of clubhead speed with his lanky 6-foot-3 frame, and he’s much longer off the tee this year.

“His short game is his biggest strength, and he’s got some length. He’s hitting the ball really far,” Banion said. “Early in his career, he didn’t have the distance. He was just really controlled. Adding that distance is what’s made him a lot more dangerous on the golf course.”

Hitting shorter irons into greens has created more birdie opportunities.

“Distance isn’t everything, but that’s definitely helped me,” Green said. “But my wedge game has probably improved the most. From 100 yards and in, I’ve got that shot down. Now that I’m hitting the ball farther than I was, I’m having more of those shots on par-4s.”

Green qualified for the state as a freshman after earning medalist honors in the districts with a 74 at Weatherwax. He finished in a tie for 14th with scores of 80-78.

He posted rounds of 84-84 with the team as a sophomore, then he just missed another trip to the state last year. He shot a 73 at the districts at Beavercreek while Mechanicsburg’s Caleb Westfall carded a 71 and Fort Loramie’s Brad Gottemoeller a 72 to claim the two qualifying spots.

“I would love to go back and play the (Ohio State) Scarlet Course again,” Green said. “I know it’s a challenge, but that would be a great way to end my high school career.”

SE GIRLS: The Trojans have a full team for the second year in a row. They were sixth out of eight teams in the OHC last season.

Ed Hennigan, a teacher at the school, is the new coach. Senior Alaney Hudson and junior Rylee Harrington earned honorable-mention all-conference honors last season. Senior Alessa Deal will split time between golf and soccer.

About the Author