BE boys' golf team off to impressive start in 2019 season
Bishop England boys’ golf coach John Greavu will take a back seat this year as he turns the reins over to assistant Jeff Burton.
The reason?
Greavu’s son, Christian, is an outstanding lacrosse player at Mercer University and it’s not unusual for the elder Greavu and his wife, Lori, to travel to Macon, Georgia and other locations to root for their son.
The Bishops golf team will not take a back seat to any team in 2019. The defending Class AAA state champs are off to an impressive start under Burton, with Greavu offering assistance.
Either way, it’s not how you start the golf season, it’s how you end it. That being said, the Bishops seem primed for another state title if the early season is any indication. They have shone in two early-season tournaments and will face tough competition the entire spring.
“We want to play the best teams in the most challenging events,” Greavu said. “By the time the postseason comes around, you are ready for the type of pressure that you find on the big stage.”
The Bishops competed in the prestigious 29-team Blythewood Bengal Invitational earlier this month and returned home with a one-stroke victory in the two-day event. The Bishops carded a 596, which was one stroke better than runners-up Rock Hill and Trinity-Byrnes.
Four Bishop golfers competed and all four shot in the 70s for both days. Austin Scott led the Bishops with a 70-72, which was good for 2-under par. Eighth-grader Luke Walmet, senior J.J. Keene and sophomore Ollie Rotermund also showed great skill levels. Rotermund is new to the team after moving to the Charleston area from Colorado.
The Bishops also fared well in the 17th annual Georgia/South Carolina Cup, which was recently held at the Planterra Ridge Country Club in Peachtree City, Georgia. The match featured the top nine teams in the Palmetto State vs. the top nine teams from the Peach State.
The tournament serves as a showcase for some of the best high school talent in the Southeast, and is a nationally-ranked event with the Junior Golf Scoreboard organization.
Nine teams from each state compete to win the cup for their state, the team title for their school and the individual title for the top golfer.
The Bishops finished fourth overall and had the best finish for teams from South Carolina.
The five Bishops who competed included Scott, Keene, Ethan Bluhme, Hunter High and Rotermund.
“I was very happy with our effort,” Greavu said. “We had four scores in the 70s each day, so I was happy with the ways the guys performed. They played well together and they also battled some cold weather.”
The Bishops have won seven state championships and have had four state runner-up performances. The team should be in the hunt for the Class AAA title when the state match is held in May.
“I feel really good about our chances,” said Greavu, whose team is seeking its third state title since 2015. “The guys have put in the work and must continue to work.”