Expectations high for ORHS golf in 2024

July 31, 2024 by Ken Lay

Scott Hinton has begun his third season as Oak Ridge High School’s golf coach.

The Wildcats opened the 2024 campaign Tuesday in the Five-Star Preps Masters.

The two-day, 36-hole tournament, which features some of the top boys and girls teams from across East Tennessee, ends today (July 31).

The ORHS boys have some top players back, including Jack Bentz, who recently signed his national letter of intent to play for Carson-Newman University.

Bentz, a senior, had aspirations of making the Class AA state tournament in 2023.

He and teammate Lewis Niad barely missed the regional playoff — and an opportunity to make it to the state tournament.

“His goal last year was to make the state and he came up short,” Hinton said. “He and Lewis basically missed the playoff by one shot.

“It’s hard to make the state, because you only get one team from the region and three individuals.”

Niad, a junior, was the low medalist at the District 4-AA championship last year.

The Wildcats also return junior Hunter Hinton and sophomores Braxton Pemberton and Jacob Disney.

Key newcomers for the Wildcats include Kaleb Jackson (freshman), Ethan Hatmaker (junior) and Cole Disney (freshman).

Hinton noted that Bentz, Hunter Hinton (his son) and Niad can all strike the ball well consistently.

The coach said he would like the team to qualify for the Region 2-AA tournament because it will be held at the Oak Ridge Country Club, the Wildcats’ home course.

“I’m sure that we’ll have some individuals make it to the region, but if I’m hosting it, I want my team there,” he said.

“We also have a tough district, and we’ll be fighting with Hardin Valley, Maryville, Bearden and Farragut.

“Our first official nine-hole match is against Farragut at Fox Den on Aug. 8. I’m not sure what they have, so I’m glad we’re getting a look at them early.”

The Lady Wildcats will have a four-player team this season.

They won’t be in the Five-Star Preps Masters in 2024.

“I made the executive decision that the girls wouldn’t play at Five-Star Preps this year,” Hinton said.

Senior Kaiya Barnes and junior Kaedyn Hollander both return, while freshmen Lilli-Grace Lagenberg and Charli Rose join the squad for Oak Ridge this season.

“We have some potential there,” Hinton said.

“We have a mix of youth and experience, and we’ll see how things come together.”