Indian River golf coach Neil Beahan hopes to defend the team’s Henlopen South title this year but doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.
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Willie Mulliken practices driving the ball.
“It’s all about execution,” said Beahan. “It’s about playing smart, keeping your ball in play, and knowing your limitations.” Practices so far have been tuned to helping individuals focus on getting their game up to the desired level.
“It’s important that these guys don’t get down on themselves this season,” he added. “The guys can come out here and shoot a 43, but when they’re put in a match situation, that 43 can quickly turn to a 53.”
The Indians went 7-3-0 last year, capturing their division. Although he’s coached for nearly a decade, Beahan said he attributes much of the team’s past success to assistant coach Maynard Esender.
Esender said he’s optimistic about this year, too. “I think the leadership this year is better than we’ve ever had,” he said.
“A lot of teams that were strong in the conference last year lost a number of seniors,” Beahan said. “It will be interesting to see who develops. If our sophomores turn it on, they could be the ones.”
And this year’s sophomore group has strength in numbers. The team comprises three returning seniors, one freshman and the remaining players: a host of sophomores.
“Some of the younger guys try to make more changes to their game,” Beahan noted, “Just because it’s not second nature to them, but as long as they relax, they’ll do fine.”
Seniors Drew Gibbons and Richard Webster will help strength this season’s matches, along with All-Conference senior Matt Binstead.
Beahan hopes to steer Indian River the same way he started last year, with early wins over Sussex Central and Red Lion. The Indians played host to Sussex Central on Thursday.
“Our schedule is always front-end loaded,” he said. “It opens up pretty heavy.” He doesn’t mind playing the first match at home, though. “Cripple Creek is such a different course than others, like Sussex Pines,” said Beahan. “Home teams should have a strong advantage. We have an idea of how to play it.”
“The club here is really supportive of us, too. They really help these guys out and we really appreciate them for it.”