By Cort Reynolds
ADA - The rebuilding Ada boys golf program will be led by a returning senior and three juniors this season.
Eighth-year head coach Jason Campbell welcomes three lettermen, one other experienced player and two newcomers to the six-man squad in 2020.
Senior Jacob Morgan is the club's best golfer and its only returning senior. He will pull double duty as he also runs cross country for Ada this fall after golf season ends.
"Jacob is a leader and is mentally tough which shows on the course," said Campbell. "He is not negatively affected by mistakes and makes adjustments during matches. He will be our top golfer."
Heady junior letterman Dexter Woods III returns for his third season on the links, and looks to continue his steady improvement. The lanky southpaw is expected to be the number two golfer most matches.
"Dexter is a very intellectual golfer," said Campbell. "He looks at the golf course using math and science to figure out how to beat it."
Junior Andrew Rush is a newcomer to the team but has already made big strides and contributions early in the season. Rush is expected to slot in at the third spot for Ada.
"Andrew is a promising player, he is a good ball-striker," the coach noted. "He has a good idea of what to do out there on the golf course. Like our other inexperienced players, he just needs to learn the nuances of the game and some of the rules."
Junior Kamron Wilkerson is the other experienced letterman back in the fold for 2020. "Kam's determination is his greatest strength," Campbell offered. "He is a hard worker who has made slow and steady improvement the last three years."
Klingler played last year and gained valuable experience, but did not earn a letter. Baumgartner is the lone freshman but is a tough competitor.
"Our three young guys are all working hard and getting match experience this season," Campbell pointed out. "They are really plugging away at improving their skills."
Campbell set some basic goals for the 2020 season. "We want to build our confidence and skills as the seaosn goes on, and try be playing our best by the end of the year when the NWC meet and sectionals roll around.
"I think we can shoot in the 210-220 range as a team. "Without having seen everyone in the league, I would say Allen East, Paulding and Bluffton are the NWC favorites."
The Bulldogs finished seventh in the NWC tournament and regular season standings. Bluffton won by the league season and tournament crowns, with AE seocnd in the regular seaosn standings and third in the tourney.
Ada also came in 12th at the 13-team Div. III sectionals at Sycamore Springs in Findlay. Van Buren won the sectional crown, followed by Allen East in second and Bluffton in third.
Ada lost honorable mention 2019 NWC golfer Alex Morgan to graduation as well as second team all-league pick Brevin Sizemore, who was a junior last year.
Ken Jochims and Bill Morgan join Campbell's staff as assistant coaches this season.
Ada began its season 0-9 overall and 0-4 in NWC play after opening with four matches from August 5-12. The young and improving Bulldogs shot a season-low 211 in a four-team league meet at the Bluffton Golf Course, the home course they share with the Pirates.
The conference meet is set for September 24 at Colonial Golf Club. The Div. III sectionals are slated to be held October 1.
Ada golf glance
Head coach: Jason Campbell, 8th year
Lettermen back/lost: 3/3
Top returnees: Sr. Jacob Morgan, Jr. Dexter Woods, Jr. Kamron Wilkerson, So. Geddes Klingler
Top newcomers: Jr. Andrew Rush, Fr. Jack Baumgartner
Ada HS golf team
The Ada varsity golf team, from left, kneeling: Jack Baumgartner, Jacob Morgan, Geddes Klingler.
Back: head coach Jason Campbell, Andrew Rush, Dexter Woods, Kamron Wilkerson, assistant coach Ken Jochims.
