(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Times News golf preview will be the only fall sports preview to run by sport. The remaining previews, which will run the week of Aug. 18-22, will appear by school).

A number of area golfers, who enjoyed success a year ago, will be returning to the links again in 2025.

Northwestern’s Gracie Scheffler qualified for states last season and returns, hoping to make the PIAA championships again.

Tiger teammates Avri Chandler and Cole Dynda are also back after competing at districts. Other area athletes that participated in the District 11 tournament and will be rejoining their respective squads this year include Lehighton’s Mike D’Amico and Palmerton’s Joey Solt.

The scholastic golf season began this past Thursday.

JIM THORPE

Head coach – John Searfoss (1st season)

League – Colonial League

Key losses – Aidan Ramey, Anthony DeCarolis, Ehren Hassler, Anna Figura

Key returnees – Jaxson Gehris, Mason Domski, Cooper Kresge, Luke Bosi

Top newcomers – Chase Matejik, Kade Levan, Alexander Plesniarski, Marshall Domski, Bryce McElmoyle, Ryah Confer, Brooklynn Yuhas

Season outlook – There are 17 golfers in the program, which is the highest number in many years. With numbers comes competition, and that should make the team improve as the season goes on. Jaxson Gehris and Mason Domski will be the two golfers the team will count on to score low, and then the rest of the lineup will be fluid due to the numbers in the program and the competition within the program to be in the lineup.

Quotable – “My goal for this season and the golf program is for the student-athletes to enjoy the game of golf and improve individually, which will then help the team improve. The wins and losses will take care of themselves, but I want the student-athletes to love the game of golf and play it for the rest of their lives.” — Jim Thorpe head coach John Searfoss

LEHIGHTON

Head coach – Mark Maholick (9th season)

League – Colonial League

Key losses – Isaac Carpenter, Aiden Albert

Key returnees – Mikey D’Amico (Jr., averaged 82 in 2024, 8-time medal honors), Kase Kleintop (So.).

Top newcomers – All newcomers are trying out, so Maholick states, “We will see.”

Season outlook – The Indians are ready to put a record of 1-13 from last season behind them, and head coach Maholick is looking for two-year player Mikey D’Amico to lead a clan of new Tribe members forth in the right direction. But, with the lack of experience obvious, the Indians are also seeing the effects of the closing of Mahoning Valley Country Club – the program’s initial home course. “We have a young team that has a hard time getting to and from a course on a regular basis without being of driving age (which) presents a challenge to get out regularly and improve. But I hope the young team will see the impact of what playing regularly and practicing properly will do to a young golfer, and they will grow as the season progresses,” added Maholick. But the Indians are making the most of their new home course, according to Maholick. “Jack Frost National is a wonderful and challenging venue, with a first-rate staff and great conditions.”

Quotable – “Our goals this year is to plant the seeds to create lifelong golfers that enjoy and respect a great game, improve in character and in golf, and be prepared for every shot that’s in front of them.” – Lehighton head coach Mark Maholick.

MARIAN

Head coach – Tom Jones (2nd season)

League – Schuylkill League

Key losses – None

Key returnees – Sam Farrone (Sr.), Alex Krapf (Sr.), Collin Yurkanin (Jr.), Derek Yurkanin (Jr.), Patrick Bonner (Jr.), and Brayden Grant (Jr.)

Top newcomers – Carter Grant (Fr.)

Season outlook – The Colts had a number of close matches that prevented them from their goal of finishing .500. This year’s goal is to finish above .500 with a seasoned group back in the fold. Their upperclassmen have taken a step forward, and Carter Grant has been an early pleasant surprise.

Quotable – “We are optimistic about the season with most players from last year returning. With the addition of a freshman, we are an improved team from last year. Our ultimate goal is to make the team championship of Division Two of the Schuylkill League.” – Marian head coach Tom Jones.

NORTHWESTERN

Head coach – Tim Miller (15th season)

League – Colonial League

Key losses – Addison Remaley, Caden Monahan.

Key returnees – Gracie Scheffler (Sr., top 30 in the 2024 PIAA Girls’ State Tournament), Avri Chandler (Sr., 4-year letter winner), Cole Dynda (Jr., District qualifier), Skylar Kern (Jr.).

Top newcomers – Mason Malosh (Fr.), Jake Koslowski (So.).

Season outlook – Seasoned Northwestern head coach Tim Miller pinpointed that last year’s 5-win, 7-loss season provided valuable tournament experience for his returning squad, who is still improving every day they step foot on the course at Olde Homestead. As he enters his 14th season however, Miller believes he has his Tiger golfers poised to compete for a Colonial League championship this season. Scheffler, who returns fresh of her first-ever PIAA State playoff experience, will partner with teammate Chandler – a four-year Tiger golfer – to provide the necessary leadership this year’s Tiger pack needs. Dynda and Kern, according to Miller, will “provide consistent scoring to help the squad be competitive” in every match.

Quotable – “With the success of our NWLH student athletes, we are looking forward to a great season.” – Northwestern Lehigh head coach Tim Miller.

PALMERTON

Head coach – Alex Knoll (11th season)

League – Colonial League

Key losses – Corey Serfass, Ashton Lesher, Bryce Silliman.

Key returnees – Luke Matsko (Sr.), Jason Carrelli (Sr.), Dillon Borger (Sr.), Tucker DeSousa (Jr.), Jared Grammes (Jr.), Joey Solt (So.).

Top newcomers – Colton Becker (Jr.), Chase Sebelin (Fr.).

Season outlook – A season after suffering its first losing season in over five years, the Bombers got back to its winning way with a 7-4 overall mark. And, Knoll believes the Bombers return a lot of strength and depth from a better-than-expected finish last year. With that, the Bombers look forward to the continued development of Grammes, Solt, DeSousa and the rest of the lineup, along with some fresh faces like the ninth grader – Sebelin. With no real concerns slowing that progress down, Knoll would love for the Bombers to “contend with Moravian Academy” to help the team stay within the “top 4 for AA Team Districts,” which he believes is an attainable goal.

Quotable – “Our depth at the top of the lineup could carry us to great accomplishments this season, but if we look ahead, it could lead to frustration. We need to focus on one swing at a time, and enjoy the practice and the competition. We look forward to the challenge of having some quiet expectations and seeing how we perform.” – Palmerton head coach Alex Knoll.

PANTHER VALLEY

Head coach – Greg Surotchak (4th season)

League – Schuylkill League

Key losses – Conner Penberth

Key returnees – Cameron Cooper (Jr.), Spencer Schirer (So.).

Top newcomers – Callie Kociolek (Jr.) Bradley Barlett (Jr.).

Season outlook – The Panthers are coming off an 0-12 season, but have a strong core returning. A key will be the maturation of last year’s unit through their experiences of last season and this summer’s play.

Quotable – “We are returning with a young team, and working on growing and improving with our process we have in place. We are focused on player development, and setting reasonable goals for ourselves.” – Panther Valley head coach Greg Surotchak.

PLEASANT VALLEY

Head coach – Steve Krechel (35th season)

League – Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

Key losses – Lydon Patascher (two-time Times News/LVHN Player of the Year; now attending NAIA power Rocky Mountain College)

Key returnees – Drew Patascher (So.), Austin Balanca (Sr.), Scotty Schenk (Sr.), Noah Conklin (Jr.)

Top newcomers – Christian Knight, Blake Regina, Cole Speicher

Season outlook – The Bears look to be competitive in the EPC. Coach Krechel expects the team look to go .500 or better and make the EPC Tournament. The longtime mentor is also looking for two or three of his players to qualify for the District 11 Tournament.

Quotable – “It’s never about wins and losses as much as improvement in everyone’s game.” – Pleasant Valley head coach Steve Krechel

TAMAQUA

Head coach – Matt Stine (9th season)

League – Schuylkill League

Key losses – Noah Steigerwalt, Maximus Najarro, Mason Yachera, Ignatius Neifert

Key returnees – Kenneth Bailey (Jr.), Jacob Fritzinger (So)

Top newcomers – Brody Boyle (Fr.), Sam Vinc (Fr.)

Season outlook – The 2025 team will see one of the largest turnovers in years, with six of the nine golfers from the 2024 team being seniors. Despite this change, the outlook for this year is encouraging, with young players like Kenneth Bailey and Jacob Fritzinger returning as starters, and young golfers coming up from the junior high program.

Quotable – “In many ways, this season marks a new chapter for Tamaqua Golf. With just two returning starters and nine first-year players on the roster, anything is possible. Stay tuned.” – Tamaqua coach Matt Stine.

WEATHERLY

Head coach – Brian Kaminski (10th season)

League – Schuylkill League

Key losses – None (no seniors were on last year’s roster)

Key returnees – Jacob Hinkle (Jr.), Matt Adler (Jr.), Kyle Reiner (So.), Kolton Reiner (So.), Chance Stauffer (Jr.), Brad Connors (Jr.)

Top newcomers – Eli Brown (Fr.), Kameron Jacoby (Jr.)

Season outlook - The Wreckers are still a very young team, but have lots of experience coming back. The fact that there are a number of kids returning to the program is encouraging, according to Coach Kaminski, who added the goal is to improve on last year’s record and individual scores.

Quotable - “Competition among the team for lineup positions will be the key to a successful year and future.” – Weatherly head coach Brian Kaminski