By DAVID WOOD, for The Democrat
Having advanced to regionals three years running, senior Parker VanNess has been the go-to golfer on the boys varsity team.
This season is seemingly no different, as he recently led the Eagles to their fourth straight win with an even-par score of 36. Brown County toppled Owen Valley 179 to 194 on April 29.
However, a new and familiar member is gunning for his spot: his younger brother, Cooper VanNess.
“It’s really awesome, and I’ve been looking forward to it since my freshman year when I found out. I kind of did it in my head and realized he’d be a freshman when I’m a senior,” Parker said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]“It’s great to have him around, and he’s coming along slowly. He has the golf bug pretty bad, so I expect him to be improving year by year and getting pretty good.”
Golf isn’t just a sport; it’s a business for the VanNess family. The VanNesses run Salt Creek Golf Course, which is Brown County High School’s home course.
Cooper’s entrance to the high school varsity team added another layer of pressure for Parker. Not only must he manage expectations and performance in his final year, but he can’t let his younger brother outdo him either.
“It fires me up a little bit, but he’s not quite there yet. We’ve had a few matches where I’ve given him a few strokes and he’s gotten pretty close,” Parker said.
“He brings the best out of me at times.”
“It’s not quite a rivalry yet because we both know I can’t beat him,” Cooper said. “The day I can possibly beat him, there will be a rivalry, but not really right now. … I’m getting there.”
In the win over Owen Valley, Cooper shot a respectable 46, one stroke behind senior Lookebill. Thus far, he’s cemented himself as a top-five golfer on the varsity squad of 15.
Head Coach Brad Baughman said Cooper’s next couple of years will determine his success as a high school golfer. Despite his lack of competitive experience, he’s doing well for himself.
“He didn’t get into the game late, but he probably doesn’t have as much competitive experience as Parker had at this age,” Baughman said.
“He’s having a really good and solid freshman year. … His swing is silky smooth, and as soon as he learns the ins and outs of strategy, he’ll keep getting better.”
Cooper’s already eyeing nine-hole scores under 40 and hopes to break the school record low of 30 by the time he graduates.
“I hope that I’ve scored some pretty low rounds by the time I’m a senior. I want to get my average below 40 and maybe take the school record,” he said.
Next year, it’ll be up to Cooper and the rest of the young squad to carry on where seniors Curtis Lookebill and Parker leave off.
However, the squad still has half of the season remaining to make the most of their current run.
