With a team led by two of the area’s top golfers in sophomore Brayden Casolari and freshman Cole Cornett, first-year Harlan County coach Brendan Rutherford has lofty expectations for the Black Bears this fall.
“The expectations for the year as a team will be to win the conference,” Rutherford said. “Our keys to success will be hard work, discipline and being able to let go of bad shots because golf is not a game of perfection.”
Casolari finished sixth in last year’s regional tournament and became the first HCHS golfer to qualify for state competition.
“Brayden is a very talented kid who qualified for the state last year. The biggest thing he needs to work on is course management, and he knows that, but the sky is the limit for him,” Rutherford said. “I think golf will definitely take him places. He’s one of the best we’ve had around here.”
Casolari and Cornett each have recorded top three finishes in tournaments already this summer and are in line for all-state selections at the end of the season. The two tied for first place on Tuesday in the first conference match of the season before Casolari won in a playoff.
“Cole is also a talented kid who has unlimited potential,” Rutherford said. “It’s a lot of fun watching both Cole and Brayden. They both put in several hours per day. You don’t have to worry about their effort. They eat, breathe and sleep golf. Cole grew up around golf with his dad, Pete, who is also a very good golfer.”
The Bears’ chances for a repeat were dealt a blow when junior Alex Creech, who had the second best score for HCHS in last year’s regionals, decided not to play to concentrate more on baseball.
Mason Himes, a senior who transferred from Madison Southern last spring, is expected to be a solid addition to the squad.
“Mason has never played competitive golf before, but watching him swing a golf club a few times he is showing great promise for the rest of the year. He has a great family and a strong work ethic, which will help him throughout the year,’ Rutherford said.
Sebastian Mosley, a freshman, is another new addition to this year’s squad.
“Sebastian is in the same boat as Mason, but he is only a freshman. He knows he has a lot to work on, but I know he will be a great golfer for the future of the Harlan County golf team,” Rutherford said.
Hailie Hensley, a sophomore, was the first female golfer to compete for HCHS last fall.
“She has had a good attitude and seems to be focused,” Rutherford said. “I think she will continue to get better. She had the best score of all the girls in the preseason tournament we had at Lynch.”