It was described as “consistently inconsistent”, a downfall with flashes of glory, or a hopeful beginning, all of these titles are what sum up the 2013 Chargers golf season. A year that brought to light the stunning talent of a few great young players, and also the bright future of a golf team on the brink of national respect.
Nestled between Platteville and thousands of acres of open country, Fennimore is just a blip on the map, but the small town has more to offer than what first glance may reveal. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College of Fennimore is the pride and joy of the town. Southwest Tech may only have a few thousand students but its educational prospects are well respected throughout the entire Mid-West. Many have come from across the region to receive a top notch education. What is also seldom known about this well-respected institution is that, unlike most technical colleges, it hosts its very own collegiate golf program and team, the Southwest Tech Chargers.
In 2011-2012 the Chargers were coming off an historic season. The Charger’s won multiple tournaments including three solo victories by 2nd year player Aaron Rondon. Also the Chargers made it to the National Championship where Aaron Rondon continued his epic season. Aaron missed the cusp of collegiate golf, a National Championship, by only one stroke on the way to a runner up, second place finish. The team overall never finished worse than sixth the entire season. Coach Scott Kennedy had this to say about the season. “We had players play incredibly consistent all year. When we came into a tournament we knew Aaron would put a number up in the low 70’s, and we knew Jeff (Hesse, 2nd year player) would put a number at least in the 70’s. If we showed up to a tournament, we always had a shot to win it” Needless to say the Chargers had a year to remember.
In 2013, the Chargers lost some familiar faces, but kept the same aspirations. Both Aaron and Jeff Hesse graduated in 2012 leaving the team to rebuild with new players. However, some of the players left behind were looking to put up another inspiring run to the top. 2nd year players, Austin Benz and Kyran Kree were both big contributors to the run in 2012. In addition to them, the Chargers gained first year Benjamin Zachman, Tyler Zientara, and Alex Johnson, all of whom consistently broke 75 in qualifiers before the season. By all looks this 2013 Chargers team was deeper and more talented than any team that has come out of Southwest Tech. Coach Kennedy was equally as excited about this season being one to remember. “The one thing about this team, is that we are probably deeper than we have ever been. In the past, we would have maybe five or six guys who could play, but this year we literally had nine or ten guys who could start. We used to have to rely on one person to shoot a very low number to be competitive, but with this team; they are all good enough to shoot 75 or better and if I can have four guys do that every tournament, no one could touch us. We would be golden.”
Southwest Tech had all the talent to be a force in college golf in the 2013 season. Early in the season the team had very high hopes to make an impact in their conference. “We came in with very high confidence, guys are talking about shooting in the 290’s and winning events, so I had very high hopes.” –Coach Kennedy.
Unfortunately however, the team never quite got off the starting block. At their first event in Freeport Ill, 2nd year Austin Benz managed to pull out a 74 and 5th place honors, but the rest of the team struggled to find their swings. Multiple scores in the 80’s left the team with a 6th place finish. Moving forward the team still had high hopes, but struggled to find the confidence to compete in events. The Chargers finished the season with only two individual honors and one victory at the Jule golf course in MN. The team hopes for a National run were dashed too, with a clerical error preventing them from playing in the regional tournament. The season ended with the talented Charger roster shaking their heads in disappointment. But as Coach Kennedy says “This season was not a loss in my opinion at all. No, we didn’t play like we wanted to, but we saw some real spark from the young players here. With the experience that this season offered our players the only thing we can do is get better. I am ecstatic about this coming season, with the team being so deep.”
All in all the Chargers were a team to watch out for early in the 2013 season, despite losing some key players. However, the team never quite got off the ground to play very consistently. In 2014, the college golf world will have to keep a close eye on the Chargers. The team struggled to play in 2013, but a few good finishes and sparks of enormous talent showing itself, 2014 will have a bright outlook. As with all players in the college golf world, the number one goal is a National title. If there is one team who had the talent to achieve national glory, it would be the Southwest Tech Chargers. 2014 will be by no doubt, a year to look out for these young players to make an impact to be remembered, to make history, and even make a run at a national championship.
