Brennan Heesch provides stability for successful Solon boys’ golf program

SOLON — Brennan Heesch is not new to the Solon boys’ golf lineup.

On the contrary, the Solon senior has been a mainstay in it since he joined the program. Heesch was part of three straight Class 3A state tournament teams.

His final campaign will be a little bit different, serving as one of the Spartans leaders behind all-state performers Isaiah Zoske and Jack McCarty.

“I like it more,” Heesch said. “There’s more pressure to shoot good scores and I feel like I have shot good scores, like last year, when there is more pressure on me. I like it a lot more than not having expectations, really.”

Heesch has been an important contributor for those successful Spartan teams and will be relied on even more to help round out team scores this season. He helped Solon open the season Monday with a 151-166 dual victory over host Mount Vernon at Kernoustie Golf Club.

“He’s been a key cog in our teams over the last few years,” Solon Coach Adam Stahle said. “He’s going to be critical for any success that we have this year.”

Heesch shot 43 in his first round. He averaged 38.29 for nine holes last season and carded 80.83 per 18 with a 41.02 combined adjusted average (which combines all competition and factors in course difficulty).

Stahle noted that Heesch can get overshadowed by Zoske’s and McCarty’s accolades but he provides stability to the Spartans with his experience. Heesch has played in stressful competition during major tournaments and knows how to handle it. He leads by example and demonstrates a strong work ethic.

“He adds that consistency,” Stahle said. “He’s a leader, whether he wants to admit it or not. I know there are a lot of kids that look at him and see what they want to try and get to and emulate his game.

“He’s a very soft-spoken kid. He’s not going to be the first to lead the charge and say a lot. He works extremely hard and dedicates a lot of time to it.”

Much of that time is during the summer. When Heesch is not competing, he can usually be found playing at Lake MacBride Golf Course. Golf is a passion for him.

“It is something I do a lot,” Heesch said. “During the summer, all I’m pretty much doing is golfing. It (time) depends on how busy the course is. If there is no one out there, I’ll play as long as I want.”

The biggest emphasis in the offseason was his mental game. Heesch possesses confidence in his ability thanks to good rounds posted during the summer and in last season’s sectional and district meets. He said he knows that he can post low scores and it is a matter of doing it during the varsity season.

“It’s all about believing in yourself and having trust in yourself,” Heesch said. “I’ve worked on that.

“A lot of (mental focus) is on the course. It’s forgetting about the last shot and focusing on the next.”

Heesch set his sights on a specific goal this year. He wants to add all-Wamac Conference honors to his resume and is determined to earn multiple medals — team and individual — in all three postseason meets. A feat he managed in sectional and district competition as a junior.

“Obviously, the goal is a state championship,” Heesch said. “I think we lost a few people but we definitely have enough good people to get there and win.”

The Spartans have about 65 golfers out at all levels. Stahle was impressed with the first meet, especially in 40-degree temperatures, wind and rain. Solon played well and still identified things to improve, preparing for a tough schedule in a stacked Wamac that had three state-qualifying teams a year ago.

“They were able to put up pretty good scores,” said Stahle, adding the Wamac could have three to four teams at state this year. “We have some holes to fill. We lost three seniors that were on the team that played a lot of golf. The thing that is really cool behind it is we have a lot of kids who patiently waited their time. For them to get out there — varsity and JV overall — to play like we thought they were able was very encouraging to see.”

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