Hancock leads the way for Har-Ber

Springdale Har-Ber junior Nick Hancock watches his chip shot land on the green Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013 during the Springdale Invitational at the Springdale Country Club.

Springdale Har-Ber junior Nick Hancock watches his chip shot land on the green Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013 during the Springdale Invitational at the Springdale Country Club.

Monday, August 4, 2014

SPRINGDALE — Nick Hancock has been one of Springdale Har-Ber’s top golfers for much of his career.

He’s clearly the leader now after the Wildcats lost four of their top golfers from last year. Hancock takes over the No. 1 role from Connor Neil, an all-state player who signed with Missouri Southern.

“Nick Hancock is one of the most dedicated golfers I’ve ever had,” Har-Ber coach Tim Aynes said. “He’s played some at No. 1 when Connor Neil and even Zach Coats was here. Nick has spent time this summer playing the best courses and against the best competition in the area. So, we expect him to have a good senior year.”

Har-Ber is coming off its best season after the Wildcats finished third in the Class 7A state tournament at Conway. Fayetteville won both the boys and girls team titles while Bentonville finished second in the boys and Fort Smith Southside placed second in the girls competition.

Southside and Northside will rejoin the 7A-West Conference this season.

Har-Ber placed in the top three last year because of a balanced team that included Neil, Hancock, Nick Beyer, Rick Wedding, and Justin Sparks. Neil shot a two-day total of 153 at the state tournament followed by Beyer and Hancock, both at 164, Wedding 171, and Sparks 174.

“We had five kids who had the ability to shoot in the 70s, and that’s hard to replace,” Aynes said.

Junior Ian Mohorn, senior Matt Philpot and Hancock are the top players this year for Har-Ber, which will compete in the Springdale Invitational on Wednesday. Senior Chase White, juniors Josh Benford, Eric Ogle and Brenden Green, and sophomore Ethan Edwards will also compete for playing time.

“We’re pretty solid in the top three, then we’ve got four or five kids who’ll probably trade places back-and-forth,” Aynes said. “This is Philpot’s first year on the golf team and he’s really stepped up his game. Benford is a multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and tennis at Har-Ber. He should be in the mix.”

The Har-Ber girls will again be led by Joanna Keck, who’ll be a junior this season. Hadley Apple, Briana Pearson, and Abigail McMoran are also top players for Har-Ber, which will host an invitational at the Springdale Country Club on Tuesday.

“Joanna shot a 75 at Paradise Valley last week and that’s an outstanding score,” Aynes said. “She hits the ball very well of the tee. She’s a solid player who works hard. Hadley started with us as a freshman and she’s taken five or six strokes off her game each year. So, we’re expecting her to have a good senior year.”