The Whitehall golf team teed off recently, kicking off an unusual season whose schedule will be severely curtailed as many of their Eastern Pennsylvania Conference opponents don’t make the cut.

Head coach John Conrad, who enters his eighth season at the helm, said that this year the team will only be playing five teams. That roster of opponents includes Northampton, Parkland, Liberty, Emmaus and Central Catholic.

While golf naturally lends itself to social distancing, they still have to be mindful of certain aspects of the game such as handling rakes and pins. Still, Conrad said that nothing really has changed as far as their approach to practice and their workouts. They’ve been able to get rounds in at their home course at Southmoore Golf Course in Bath for about a month.

Heading into this season, Conrad returns some experience players led by senior Harvie Oliver, along with juniors Jayden Kuhn, Kristine Landis, Kelly Gawad, and Daniel Labram.

The Zephyrs have 11 golfers this season, and going with the veterans will be newcomers Kubic Cole, a senior, junior Matthew Bernhard, sophomore Gregory Sommer, and freshmen Alex Mastropieri, Kendra Musselman and Ethan Ringenberger.

Conrad said that he was encouraged by the number of freshmen who came out this season. Last year they didn’t have a single freshman swing the club, but this year they’ll have three getting their feet wet in varsity competition.

“That’s a good number,” said Conrad.

Of those freshmen, Ringenberger has opened some eyes. He is the younger brother of Tyler Ringenberger, a 2018 graduate. Conrad said that Tyler Ringenberger was one of the best golfers to come through the program since he took over in 2013. Conrad has seen some of the same qualities in Ethan.

“He has a lot of potential,” said Conrad. “That’s a good sign.”

Kuhn is expected to be one of their top ball strikers as play begins. Conrad describes him as a steady player who should anchor the returning core. Landis will also be counted on to lead the charge. The junior finished eighth last year at the EPC Golf Championships held at Olde Homestead Golf Club. Both players have consistently worked on their games over the summer and its shown in their early workouts.

He expects Cole and Bernhard to contribute as well, assessing them as “athletic kids who compete and are eager to learn.”

“I feel I can put them in matches right away,” said Conrad.

Whitehall finished 5-9 last season. With their limited list of opponents, it will be a tall order to duplicate that total given that those squads posted 48 wins among them last year.

“Those teams have a tendency to be good,” said Conrad.

Still, they’re competing and right now that’s going to be the focus. It may be an unusual season, but it’s still about putting the ball in the cup.