CovCath, Fritz score first win

Colonels expect challenge from Ryle in postseason

BY MATT MULCAHEY | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR

 

When Mickey Fritz played his last year of golf for Covington Catholic in 1998, a rivalry between the Colonels and the Ryle Raiders hardly existed.

Things have changed.

 

Fritz, in his first year as CovCath's head coach, saw that Thursday as the Colonels defeated the Raiders in a 9-hole match 148-160 at Fort Mitchell Country Club.

 

"It is just a match from my point of view, but the kids think of it as a little more than that," Fritz said. "The region tournament is what really matters, and I'm sure (Ryle coach Bill Turner) will be telling his kids the exact same thing."

 

The 26-year-old Fritz took over the program from Rick Hornsby, who won 20 region tournaments in 22 seasons as the Colonels' head coach.

The biggest threat to that streak in recent years has been the Raiders, who have finished runner-up at the region tourney to CovCath in each of the past five seasons.

 

Though the Colonels were able to send Hornsby off with a region title last year, Ryle did manage to best CovCath in the regular season and finished fifth to the Colonels' sixth at the state meet.

 

Luke Maile wasn't at those matches. But he was there Thursday to lead the Colonels to a victory.

 

A basketball and baseball standout, Maile decided to play golf this year as well. Summer baseball commitments prevented him from joining the team until about two weeks ago. That didn't stop him from shooting four birdies Thursday on his way to a match-best 1-under 34.

 

"Luke's just a natural-born athlete," Fritz said. "You give him anything - a basketball, a baseball bat or a golf club - and he can get it done. We're glad to have him."

 

Junior Nick George (37), sophomore Mickey Sutton (38) and senior Joey Metzger (39) rounded out the Colonels' scoring foursome.

 

Junior Cody Martin paced the Raiders with a 3-over 35 round that included two birdies. Andrew Desmarais (39), Chris Lally (41) and Logan Dorne (42) also scored for the Raiders.

 

"Our guys really wanted to win today, but (CovCath) is obviously the better team right now," Turner said. "They're going to be tough to beat."

Luke has always been able to golf. I remember seeing his name pretty high up on the leaderboard when he was very young playing in NKY events.

To answer your question old guy after seeing him in person do all of these, no there is nothing he can't do if he wants to. He is playing on one of the best teams in the state and has virtually played no golf in the last two years and shot 37 at Kenwood and then 34 at Ft. Mitchell this past week, Unbelievable !!!!

I look forward to seeing him play in a couple of weeks at the Montgomery Co. Invitational.