Panthers relying on experience

The Siloam Springs boys golf team has plenty of battle-tested experience returning for the 2016 season.

Four of the Panthers' five participants in the 2015 state golf tournament are back in 2016, and Siloam Springs hopes to use those veterans to improve upon a sixth place finish in the state from a year ago.

"If we can be consistent, we've got a chance to be a pretty good team," said head golf coach Michael Robertson. "I think it might be a little tough early, but I think this group will get better and peak at the right time."

The season begins for the Panthers on Tuesday, Aug. 3, in the Springdale Invitational held at Springdale Country Club. A little more than a dozen matches follow throughout August and September before the Class 6A State Boys Tournament, which will be held Oct. 5-7 at Searcy Country Club.

The Panthers, like every other team in 6A, will be trying to chase down six-time defending state champion Jonesboro, which features individual state champion junior Wil Gibson.

"Jonesboro's the team to beat," Robertson said. "They've got the best player in the state."

Siloam Springs seniors Cody Beyer and Noah Karp are expected to be at the top for the Panthers.

Beyer has played in three state tournaments, while Karp has played in one and been to another as an alternate as a sophomore.

Beyer, a left-hander, was the Panthers' top player at the state tournament last season with a two-day total of 167 (83-84).

"(Beyer) had a good season, but I know he was disappointed at the end," Robertson said. "He made some changes to his game and is really starting to play well. He's gotten stronger physically, he's keeping the ball in play and he's got an unbelievable short game. He may be the best putter I've ever had."

Robertson said Beyer appears to be focused for the upcoming season.

"I think he'll have a really good year," he said. "He wants to play at the next level."

Karp, who's also a standout basketball player at Siloam Springs, is giving Beyer a good run for his money.

Robertson said the two have played in some tournaments this summer where Karp has defeated his teammate.

"They're competitive," he said, "but it's a very friendly competition. There's no jealousy or anything there."

Karp might be the team's most dedicated and hardest worker, Robertson said.

"He's always the first one to arrive ready to go to work," Robertson said. "Noah's a thinker and he's incredibly smart. He's always thinking about what kind of shot and why.

"Noah's capable of putting up scores to win every event we play this year."

Behind Beyer and Karp are a pair of sophomores who both saw action last year at the state tournament.

Chase Beyer, Cody Beyer's younger brother, and Karson Clement have made lots of progress over the offseason, Robertson said.

"Chase Beyer's had a really good summer," Robertson said. "He's really grown, gotten stronger and at times has been our best player."

Clement is another left-hander for the Panthers.

"He's also gotten bigger and stronger and had a good summer," said Robertson, who added that Clement has very rarely -- if ever -- missed a practice since November.

Robertson hopes his top four players can consistently break scores of 80 and into the high 70s.

"The key is always consistency," he said.

Consistency will be key for whoever the Panthers' fifth man is in the starting lineup. The format is play five, count four, and the Panthers have several candidates who will compete for the fifth man.

Senior Kip Dooley, who the golf team shares with tennis, played well during the winter and spring, Robertson said. Senior Will Gambill saw some varsity action last year and so did sophomore Josh Johnson.

Senior Solo Jackson also is in the mix for the fifth man.

"Nobody's stood out yet," Robertson said. "Every one of them is capable of playing well on any given day. It's just about consistency."

Junior Sam Everett, sophomore Trey Jackson, and freshmen Luke Baker, Shadd Holmes and Evan Sauer are all expected to see junior varsity action.

NOTES: The Panthers and Lady Panthers will host two home matches this season -- Aug. 29 versus Alma and Springdale; and Sept. 19 versus Greenwood. Both home matches will be played at Siloam Springs Country Club.