TENNERTON – The Buckhannon-Upshur golf Buccaneers will get their season underway this week and veteran head coach Jason Westfall believes he has a group that can make some noise this season.

Westfall, who is beginning his sixth year as head coach, had a bit of a rebuild last year, but the youthful Bucs of last year are giving way to a strong group of upperclassmen for the 2023 season.

“I believe we have a roster that can compete in the conference,” stated Westfall. “We have experience returning and those players know what to expect.  Returning players include senior Jaden Westfall, juniors Easton Perkins, Jevon Westfall, Parker Lockwood, Taylor Spratt and sophomore Jerin Westfall.  We will lean heavily on this group.  It is their time to create a new chapter in B-U golf. New to the team is junior Drahden Rice and freshmen Jacob Frye, McKenzie Egress, Easton Gregory, Chase Lowther and Braydon Wayts. Rice and Egress will compete for varsity spots.”

Westfall believes that each golfer will bring something unique to this year’s team.

“I look for Perkins and Lockwood to make a move,” remarked Westfall. “Perkins has been our most consistent and steady player. I look for that to continue and for him to make a move as one of the better players in the conference. Lockwood wants to be that guy and has worked on his game this summer between West Virginia and Texas. We will need the Westfall boys to get their game in form after a summer full of basketball and baseball. Jaden can be a strong Robin to Parker and Easton’s Batman. Jaden is our long ball hitter. He needs to find consistency. I look for the entire team to use our schedule to work and shape us into form. I schedule long days early, a bootcamp if you will, to help prepare us for what we will face down the stretch.  Jevon, has good irons and short game. He needs to find consistency. Jerin, loves to play, and his game isn’t like anyone around him, if can stay within his own he can surprise people. Spratt, has all the tools but she is a multiple sport athlete.  She needs to settle into her swing and she will with each hole she plays. Rice just loves golf and we know each other from baseball. He is an athlete. Once he gets comfortable with competitive golf he could take off. Egress will compete and battle for varsity. She has natural ability and when she hits her stride she is another one everyone will need to watch out for.  Competition is what will make us the best we can be. I like our competition level. We have some new blood which we need. Our roster is healthy.  The freshmen are getting their first taste of competition golf. It’s early and they will learn with experience. Everyone has the golf bug and is ready to hit balls. That’s the fun part about it when you’re around young players with good energy.”

Westfall again has put together a competitive and busy schedule for his team this fall.

“We will continue to schedule and compete with our regional opponents along with our conference opponents,” noted Westfall. “I believe that will prepare us for our ultimate goal of states. Our region continues to have our class state champion most years in Wheeling Park. The Big 10 Conference is also strong competition. We are on the state’s best courses such as the Parkersburg Country Club, The Pines Country Club and we are hosting 18 holes two days straight at Stonewall with some strong teams playing.  We will compete in the Junior Callaway tournament at Bel Meadows. The young ladies will compete in the Girls WV State Championship. We run a varsity and junior varsity schedule. These young players will be playing some golf over the next couple months.  All with the idea of shaping and molding us for the Big 10 Conference Tournament at Tygart Lake Golf Course in late September. Also our Regional Tournament to earn a shot at States will be at the Pines Country Club in Morgantown in late September.”

The Bucs will have a busy first week as they host the Buccaneer Open Tuesday and the Buckhannon Toyota Open Wednesday with both events being held at the Stonewall Resort.

They will then go to Bel Meadow on Thursday in the Varsity Junior Callaway event.

“There are so many people that help us along the way,” concluded Westfall. “I want to thank Buckhannon Country Club for their support.  I want to thank Golden Bell Golf Course for their support. Buckhannon Toyota has been great as they got us some golf bags and we are super excited and waiting for them to come in. We cannot wait to show them off. I want to thank Mike Rogers and Stonewall Golf Course.  I need to give a shout out to my athletic director Rick Reynolds. I want to invite the community to come check out some golf if they are able.  They never disappoint.”