You know things are going good for a team when the coach wants to play a team ranked second in the state.

The team is Warsaw's unranked golf squad. The coach is Bob Turner. Warsaw ended the regular season with a Thursday match at Norwood Golf Club in Huntington, against Huntington, the No. 2 team in the latest poll.

"I think we can beat Huntington tonight," Turner said yesterday one hour before the trip to Huntington. This is the first time in years I can't wait to play them.

"It's one of those deals where we want to play them, but I'm not sure they want to play us. If they stumble going into the sectional, not good for them. If we lose, well, we got beat by a really good team. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose."

The Tigers are snakes lying in the weeds. They are unranked. They also are a 13-3 team that finished first in the Northern Lakes Conference.

Other people - i.e., the pollsters - may not know about Warsaw, but Turner knows his team. The Tigers earned Turner his fifth NLC Coach of the Year award in nine years at Warsaw.

One year ago Warsaw's squad went 15-3, won the sectional and placed sixth at the regional. The 1997 Tigers averaged 163 over nine holes.

Only two golfers, 1997 co-MVPs Justin Howell and Kevin Powell, returned to the 1998 varsity lineup.

The 1998 Tigers average 158 over nine holes.

Powell, now a senior, golfed in the first spot in Warsaw's 1997 lineup. Howell, now a sophomore, golfed in the second slot.

They flip-flopped this year.

Traditionally the Tigers field teams where scores between the first and fifth golfers aren't far apart.

That's the case this year.

Howell shoots 38.5 and Powell 41. Jason Henthorn, who golfs in the third spot, averages 41. Chris Osbeck, the fourth golfer, averages 41.5. The fifth spot is shared by David Grossnickle, who averages 41.9, and Jeff Phillips, who averages 42.1.

"The difference between this year's team and teams of the past is, I have a couple of kids who can light it up," Turner said. "We're consistent, but I have a couple who can shoot some low scores when they have it going. That was obvious at the Michigan City Invitational. Powell shoots 71 and Howell shoots 73."

One key to Warsaw's success this season? Age. Turner likes young players like sophomores Henthorn and Howell.

"We have a lot of young players, which makes a difference," he said. "They're still in the swing of things in terms of school, camaraderie and school spirit. If you have a lot of young kids, you usually do halfway decent."

Warsaw's top two golfers in the May 23rd NLC Tournament? Howell, who golfed 78, and Henthorn, who golfed 79.

Entering Saturday's sectional, the Tigers are the favorites. They host the sectional at Rozella Ford Golf Course, where they are unbeaten this year.

Still, Turner pulls a Lou Holtz. He sandbags. He plays down his team and brags about the other teams.

"I think there are seven teams capable of getting out of there," he said. "Northfield and Wabash have good teams. They're in the same foursome we are. Wawasee probably has the best record of any team. Valley has its best team in recent years.

"I just want to get out to the regional."

Also consider before the season began, Turner predicted his team would start "pretty slow" and most likely compete "for second or third" in the NLC.

In their first match of the season, the Tigers shot 298 - their best 18-hole score of the year - at the Michigan City Invitational for first place.

To get to the regional, Warsaw will have to finish in the top three. Also moving on to next Friday's regional at Chestnut Hills near Fort Wayne are the top three individuals not on the top three teams.

Warsaw placed sixth at the regional at Chestnut Hills last year. Turner hopes for better this year.

That is, if the Tigers get out of the sectional.

"I was disappointed with sixth last year," he said. "We didn't shoot the score we were capable of shooting. I think some of our players were disappointed. We want to get out of the sectional to have another shot at the regional."

The only decision Turner has left before the sectional is whether Grossnickle or Phillips golfs in the fifth hole.

"It's too bad we can't play six," he said. "They're that even."

Warsaw, Wawasee, Wabash and Northfield tee off at the sectional at 1 p.m.

Turner looks down at his black folder in front of him, at the scores written in red ink that from worst to first are only four or five strokes apart.

"They're not worried about who's shooting what," Turner said. "The main thing on their mind is winning."

The Warsaw Scouting Report

Turner comments on the golfers in his varsity lineup

Justin Howell - "Doesn't hit the long ball, but is very consistent. He hits all his fairways. Good putter. Doesn't get too rattled."

Kevin Powell - "Senior who has experience and is very comfortable on our home course. Excellent putter who won putting award.

Jason Henthorn -Ê"Coming into his own. He's an athlete. As a result, he can play a number of sports very well."

Chris Osbeck - "Very strong, hits the long ball."

Jeff Phillips and David Grossnickle - "Excellent No. 5 players. Could play No. 2 or No. 3 on any other team. Almost identical. Sad one doesn't get to play."

1998 WARSAW GOLF SECTIONAL

11 a.m. Saturday at Rozella Ford

Tee times for local school(s)

11 a.m. -ÊTriton

11:40 -ÊManchester

12:20 p.m. -ÊTippecanoe Valley

1 -ÊWarsaw, Wawasee

1998 CHURUBUSCO GOLF SECTIONAL

Today at Eel River Golf Course near Churubusco

Tee times for local school(s)

10:40 a.m. - Whitko

1998 NORTHRIDGE GOLF SECTIONAL

9 a.m. Saturday at Spring Meadow Farm Golf Club near Middlebury

Tee times for local school(s)

11:15-11:51 a.m. - NorthWood [[In-content Ad]]