FR takes MAC opener

PORTLAND — Fort Recovery High School’s dominant start to the season continued Thursday as the Indians dispatched the New Bremen Cardinals in a dual match on the back nine of Portland Golf Club by a score of 179-193.

The victory opened the Indians’ Midwest Athletic Conference schedule and extended their unblemished record this season. Fort Recovery previously won the Mercer County Invitational and also triumphed in its first dual meet of the young season against Tri-Village.

“The MAC is an extremely tough conference,” said Fort Recovery coach Dean Sanders, whose team improved to 2-0. “Lot of fantastic golfers, lot of fantastic teams, and just to start out on a win and have the right direction going is a great benefit.”

It was a benefit earned by the entire team but spearheaded by the dependable production of senior Reece LeFevre and the moxie of freshman Andrew Rehmert. LeFevre claimed match medalist honors with a 3-over-par 38 while Rehmert was third overall with a 44. Lukas Lennartz scored a 43 to lead New Bremen and finish second overall.

For the steadfast LeFevre, who already established himself as one of the premier golfers in the region last season by posting 41.3 strokes per nine holes and making the All-MAC first team, it was just another day at the office.

“I played fine,” LeFevre said. “I scrambled for pars. When I made mistakes, I just tried to make the best of them.”

After bogeying three of the first four holes, the senior settled in, shooting even par the rest of the way. He sealed the strong outing on the treacherous hole 18, a 178-yard par 3 that involves a strand of water and a plateaued green. LeFevre called it the toughest hole on the course, but made it look easy by planting his tee shot on the front fringe of the green before finishing off a two-putt par.

“To have a guy like that that’s very consistent, works hard at the game, and be able to score real well each and every time, it’s simply a great benefit to us and we’re honored to have him on the team,” Sanders said. “He deserves all the things that are coming his way.”

While LeFevre continues to lead the way for Fort Recovery, his heir apparent is already starting to force his way into the limelight. The precocious Rehmert was the only underclassman in Fort Recovery’s lineup, but his youth didn’t show in his performance.

“As a freshman, that’s big for me,” Rehmert said. “Just being on the team and providing, that’s all that matters.”

While Rehmert started his round slowly, making double bogey on the first two holes, he found his rhythm midway through with back-to-back pars on holes 15 and 16. On the 344-yard, par-4 17th, he kept the momentum going by draining a 30-foot putt to save bogey after an errant tee shot found the weeds.

As Rehmert ascends, he’s remaining focused on navigating the delicate balance between enjoying the opportunity to play varsity golf as a freshman and handling the pressure the opportunity brings.

“There’s a line where it meets,” Rehmert said. “Stuff can be fun … but there’s a lot of pressure when it comes to being a freshman trying to get their own spot on the team. I would think there’s almost a little bit too much, but I’ve managed before.”

For Sanders, there’s no doubt that Rehmert, who has played golf since he was 4 years old, is ready for the moment.

“He’s working hard at the game, he’s wanting to perfect the game,” Sanders said. “We’re looking for great things out of him.”

The Indians also got solid outings from Caleb Smith (48), Garrett Diller (49), Hudson McAbee (49) and Carter Fortkamp (50), though one of the 49s and Fortkamp’s 50 did not count toward the team total.

“It was a competitive match, but the guys were able to come through,” said Sanders. “I’m real proud of them today.”