Eastview boys' golf: Lightning could strike

If you look up the scoring averages of boys' golf teams this spring, you'll find Eastview among the top four in the state, and nary a fellow Class 3A, Section 3 foe within chipping distance.

But don't believe that gives the Lightning a clear path to the state tournament as the section champion.

Coach Mark Wanous said that in his decade of coaching, six or seven times the so-called favorite has showed up to the one-day event only to go home empty-handed.

"When it comes down to pressure time, for all the marbles, it's interesting to see how teams hold up," Wanous said.

He's a firm believer that golf is 70 percent mental. Stroke play is important, but so is one's frame of mind.

It's something the Lightning has been working on a lot lately.

Golfers on this year's roster have entered tournaments in the past year both locally and nationally. They put the pressure on themselves as individuals in those events. So now, with a common team goal of advancing to state for the second time in school history, it's not quite as daunting a task.

Or is it?

"I wouldn't say it will be easy," junior Joe Petrulo said. "But this is a team we always knew would pull together for this year. We've been thinking about it since we were freshmen."

Six freshmen made the team two years ago. And on paper, it does appear the Lightning has an edge.

Eastview this season switched into Section 3. It no longer has to contend with the likes of Chaska, Edina and Minnetonka (13 combined trips to state) to get to the year's final tournament. Rather, Park of Cottage Grove and Woodbury (four combined appearances) appear to be the top contenders. Neither team is a pushover, but neither is a perennial power either.

Adding to the mental mix, two other District 196 schools -- Eagan and Rosemount -- are also in a section with Eastview for the first time.

"The competition is going to be very tough," Wanous said. "As a coach, I think [we] can do it. We've talked about it. Golf is a game of confidence -- it has to be. And we'll just have to see how it works out."

The section tournament, set for May 19 at Keller Golf Club in Maplewood, has been on players' minds since the start of the season.

Keller has few hazards and figures to favor a team such as Eastview, which is not long off the tee but relies on accuracy.

"Everybody knows we have the chance to be the top team and go to state," senior Johnny Greene said. "We're pretty confident as a team right now."

Greene has been with the team since he was in seventh grade and has made it to state as an individual in the past. He is the team's top performer with a scoring average of around 75 heading into this week.

"With him leading the way, I think the others believe they can be successful," Wanous said.