Senior Clay Heilman won the Dukane Conference Player of the Year in boys golf after his performance in the conference tournament on Sept. 19. This is his second time as Dukane Conference Player of the Year after he won the award his junior year.
Heilman placed first in both the conference and regional tournaments, leading North’s boys golf team to second place at the conference tournament and third at their regional tournament on Sept. 26.
In order to earn Player of the Year, Heilman needed to place first in the conference tournament.
“Last year I was in first going into this tournament, but this year I wasn’t,” said Heilman. “So I needed to win the tournament in order to get Player of the Year and it just felt good that I could come through and win the tournament.”
While the team advanced to sectionals by taking third at the regional tournament, some players were disappointed with the results.
“We went into [regionals] feeling really good and looked to win it, but I don’t know what happened,” said Heilman. “Our heads got a little bit out of whack and we took third which is lucky because we made it through, but it just wasn’t what we wanted.”
The team is comprised of mostly seniors and they are hoping to capitalize on their experience.
“This is the year we’re doing this,” said Head Boys Golf Coach Peter Gleason. “Hopefully we can pull up. It is a tough, tough sectional, but I think we can do it.”
The team is currently preparing for the sectional tournament which will take place Oct. 1. On Sept. 27, they practiced at the sectional course and will continue to work on various skills before the tournament.
“Yesterday we played a practice round at the course we are playing at [for sectionals] and we all played very good,” said sophomore Jack Van Laningham. “We played the course, mapped it out, and just got comfortable with the shots.”
Heilman and the rest of the team are hopeful to continue their success at their upcoming tournaments.
“I’m feeling really good about it,” said Heilman. “I’ve been talking with my team and my coach and we’re on the track of ‘hey you won two in a row? Why not win four and go all the way [to] win sectionals and state as well.’”
