Optimism abounds for Central Community College Golf as head coach Britt Blackwell welcomes back three veterans from the 2015-16 squad, all of whom posted rounds in the 70s during the Region IX tournament this past spring. Add to that six strong recruits and the fact that the Raiders shot 100 strokes better last season than the previous season, and it is easy to see why Blackwell has such high hopes and aspirations for the Raiders this year.

"I think if we can improve another 100 strokes over last year, we will win the region," said Blackwell. "The goal of this year's team is to wrestle the Region IX championship away from Southeast Community College, which has won the trophy for 14 years in a row."

Headlining the returning golfers from last year's squad is sophomore Matt Hansen, who posted the fifth lowest overall score at the Region IX tournament.

"[Matt] is extremely accurate and long and has the confidence to play against most of the opposing team players at the number one and number two positions," said Blackwell.

Logan Flemming, a two-sport athlete returns to the CCC Golf club after earning NJCAA Superior Academic Achievement honors for last year's excellent performance. Flemming is also a member of the Raiders men's basketball team and according to Blackwell, he has the ability to be one of his top three golfers.

"He will be, by far, the most popular player," said Blackwell. "It's just going to depend on how much he can improve in consistently posting scores in the 70s because some of the new guys coming in have shown that ability."

Rounding out the returning threesome is John Opela, who Blackwell believes has the tools to be the best player.

"John has one of the best swings I've seen," said Blackwell. "However, he has the same challenge as Logan, to consistently post scores in the 70s."

When you look at the roster of the incoming players, you will notice that the majority of them are from the local area. That's because Blackwell has a focus on recruiting locally.

"I don't want any of the kids from the local area going elsewhere," said Blackwell. "There are three high schools in Columbus. I have a recruit from each one of the three, one being John Luckey from Columbus High School. [He is] extremely intelligent, did very well on his ACT. [Another is] Marshall Dreifurst from Scotus Central Catholic High School who qualified with his team for state last year. The third is Kaleb Lusche from Lakeview High School, another all-around competitor who won recognition as best male athlete of the school last spring ."

A pair of newcomers are sophomores, Ryan Stack, who competed for the Raiders last fall, and Cameron Schmueker, who attended Northeast Community College as a freshman, but did not play golf. The last name on the roster is freshman Ryan Jurgenson, who along with Stack is a walk-on, competing for a position on the team. Walk-ons are not uncommon for Blackwell, who says of his top five players last season, two were walk-ons. Blackwell encourages walk-ons, and he welcomes and encourages any golfer who would like an opportunity to make the team.

"One of the luxuries I have is if a walk-on does well, I can put them [on scholarship]," said Blackwell. "I have one left that I haven't used. I'm holding that one in reserve to reward someone."

Blackwell has high hopes and expectations for his team on the course in 2016-17. However, he also points out that he also has high hopes and expectations for his team in the classroom.

"Last year, we were 20th in the nation academically, and I would like to improve upon that as well, which shows my focus on the boys is scholastically as well as athletically," said Blackwell.