When the names of the top 16 high school golf teams in Delaware were announced for the state tournament, Indian River head coach Neil Beahan was less than pleased that his team did not make the cut. Even more frustrating was the fact that they fell short by 0.06 of a point.
“It’s been an interesting year,” said Beahan, whose team finished 11-5 on the season, falling just shy of their quest to be the first team to capture the Henlopen South title for a third straight year.
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT:
Drew Gibbons chips a ball during a practice this past season.
Beahan’s team was able to come away with it the past two, though a few narrow misses were the likely culprits this year, as a regretful 180 against 2007 Henlopen South champs Smyrna, and a late-season, one-stroke loss to Dover did in the Indians.
“We really should have won the South,” said Beahan. “Maybe my goals were set too high.”
Though disappointed not to capture the title, the coach wasn’t discouraged with his players’ performance this season.
“Our 11-5 record isn’t bad,” he said. “This has been a pretty good season, and I can’t complain much.”
Indian River finished fourth in their conference, placing above Smyrna and Cape Henlopen, two teams who beat out the Indians to make it to the state tournament.
“That alone,” Beahan added, describing the team’s conclusion as a vindication, “shows that we’re a pretty good team. It’s been a learning curve, I think. We’ve come a long way this season. Some of the times, we just got worried and uptight. The guys just have to remember, golf is supposed to be a fun game.”
With the past behind him, Beahan is looking to the future, though he’s not sure what to expect.
“I had been looking for more leadership this season,” he said. “We had some guys who could hit the ball, but the leadership wasn’t where I was hoping it would be.”
Senior starters Drew Gibbons, Matt Binstead and Richard Webster have helped solidify the low scores throughout the season. Gibbons, Binstead and sophmore Connor Vanderhook qualified in the individual tournament of states, filling three of the six vacancies, though none advanced the second day.
With the absence of those three next year, Beahan is looking for his younger team members to step up.
“The opportunity is there,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see what they bring. The starting positions will be open for whoever really wants it. We stand a pretty good chance next year if our boys come around.”
Beahan is encouraging others — freshmen and sophomores included — to try their skill for next year’s team. Losing the talent that he is at the end of this year, Beahan expects to rebuild next year’s team.
“I can only offer them so much,” he said. “The rest is up to them. I’m encouraging them to pick up their clubs. If we’re going to come out strong next year, the guys need to do some things in the off-season.”
There are also changes for the division next year. Smyrna will move to the North, while Milford drops to the South.
“Milford’s got a tough team,” admitted Beahan. “They have some freshmen who can play. Lake Forest will be a tough competitor, too, next year.”
Beahan said he would like to thank his team for an outstanding season, and assistant coach, Maynard Essender for his dedicated work with the boys.
“He really bailed me out a few times,” Beahan said. “He’s a very talented, intelligent man.”
Beahan also thanked Cripple Creek for use of their facility. “It really means a lot to have them work with us so much, and I really appreciate everything they’ve given us and helped us with,” he said.