Reeths-Puffer brings back three top players this season, setting the stage for what could be a successful season on the course.
"We have not won a league championship since 2006," R-P coach Matt Pallett said. "That will be a high but reasonable goal for this team this year."
The Rockets did lose GMAA medalist Dylan Panozzo, who surged late last season and led the team in scoring at the regional meet, to graduation, as well as regional No. 4 scorer Jake Lee, but bring back many good players.
Junior Kristian Brown returns after two straight all-conference nods in his first two seasons. Capable of consistently breaking 80, Brown will be one of the area's top players this season. Ayden Hartzell, a senior, might not be far behind. Hartzell improved a lot in 2024, Pallett said, and is primed for a step forward to the No. 2 spot in the lineup.
Also back is senior Aiden Waggoner, noted for his steady performances. He's shot a nine-hole 38 before, and that kind of effort would be a big boost for the Rockets.
R-P also has good depth behind its top three. Juniors Kaeden Benner and Ryleigh Beebe and senior Jamie Neel all project to be factors in the Rocket lineup. Benner is an "avid golfer," Pallett said, but this will be his first season playing at the high school level. He's capable of delivering impressive scores. Beebe got a taste of varsity experience last season and has put in the time necessary to be a varsity fixture in 2025.
Neel is a second-year high school player and will also compete for a spot in the varsity lineup after having played in six varsity meets last year.
Tristan Baker, Beckett Mathes and Carter Hekkema are also returning players who could get in the mix, and senior Kye Grant and junior Connor Anderson, both decorated athletes in other sports, will make their debuts on the course this spring.
"We have more depth this year," Pallett said. "I feel that each night, I will put a lineup out there in which any of the guys could score for us. How a few of the newcomers come along will determine if we can reach our goals."
R-P will waste little time jumping into action once spring break has passed. On the first day back the Rockets compete at Egypt Valley, a traditionally tough course, and just two days later they'll be in action in the first O-K Green Conference jamboree. Mona Shores is a fixture near the top of the standings and is likely the "team to beat," Pallett said, but the teams posted similar results in last spring's regional, so the league race could be intriguing.
"It appears that all the teams lost some key players but also have some nice pieces coming back," Pallett said.
