One of his goals is to be the GWOC player of the year for the first time. And his primary objective is to make amends for a mediocre showing in the Division I state tournament last season, though he wasn’t alone in his struggles.
The tourney was reduced from 36 to 18 holes because of nasty weather, and Wells shot 82 to finish in a tie for 39th out of 72 players.
“I remember it was tough conditions, cold and windy,” he said. “I had 39 on the front, which was pretty good for those conditions. And the back nine, I didn’t make many putts and didn’t hit the ball very well.”
Coach Mike Schilling points out that Wells’ game is more suited for a multi-day tournament because of his consistency, not a one-round shootout.
“I would love to see what he could do for two days. He’s more than capable of winning it. He’s as good as anybody in the state, no question in my mind,” Schilling said.
The Ohio State Scarlet Course is a punishing test because of its length, but that won’t bother Wells if he gets another crack at it.
“He’s grown a lot since his freshman year, so he’s gained distance. But he hasn’t lost any of his feel around the greens,” Schilling said.
“He doesn’t have to hit a hybrid into those tough par-4s. He can hit a 6- or 7-iron. And when you get a wedge in his hands, it’s over,” Schilling said.
The Wildcats are coming off a satisfying season. They finished seventh in the 19-team GWOC tourney. And they were sectional runner-ups, advancing to the districts for the first time since North and South merged in 2008.
They came up short in their bid to reach the state, but they still felt like sharing high-fives afterward.
“Out of 12 teams, we finished eighth,” Schilling said. “Considering who’s in that district, I’ll take it.”
Though stalwart Bryce Baumgardner has graduated, juniors Cullen Rogan, Jacob Kearns and Baylee Vonderheide are all back. Senior Nate McGlothin, an ace baseball pitcher, is trying golf for the first time.
Knowing he can count on Wells, Schilling said the season will hinge on whether the Wildcats can get solid play elsewhere. He’s looking at Rogan in the No. 2 spot for that.
“At the end of last year, he was a big reason for our success,” he said. “He’s playing really well and practices a lot. He takes the game very seriously.
“He’s very calm. He doesn’t get rattled. He’s capable of going out and shooting 80. If he can do that, we have the opportunity to be even better.”
Wells is optimistic.
“We’re losing someone who shot in the mid-80s, but Cullen Rogan is improving a lot. And Baylee and Jake will play well,” he said.
Wells left onlookers at the Ohio Am in awe while dueling at age 16 against a field that included the best college players in the state. The tourney ended the day before the final two rounds of the City Am, and he promptly took down the top golfers in the area while winning by three strokes.
“He’s a monster,” said four-time City Am champ Sean Ryan, who was paired with Wells the first two rounds. “He doesn’t rattle. He doesn’t go up and down. He starts the same way and finishes the same way. If he makes bogey or birdie, you can’t tell. And that’s what separates him.
“He hit a couple of shots that snapped my neck. They were making a sound you don’t hear all the time. And at 16 — you definitely don’t hear that sound. I had to go over and look in his bag to see what he hit. I went, ‘Whoa.’
“He’s got good parents. He’s a good kid. I’d play with him every day if I could.”
SPRINGFIELD GOLF
Coach: Mike Schilling
Opening match: Mon., Aug. 14, Clark County Inv. at Elks golf course
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