LAKEVILLE - The team might be small, but members of the LaVille golf team have a strong urge to improve. Luke Hillegonds returns as the Lancer head coach and has liked what he has seen so far in 2024. "The season has started off well," said Hillegonds.  "We only have three guys practicing right now, but they really have a deep desire to improve their golf game. Golf is a challenging sport, so our focus is making each practice as game like as possible. The guys have shown flashes of improvement over the first few weeks, and I am excited to see them continue to grow." A pair of letterwinners return for LHS in sophomores Riley Ort and Ryan Maenhout. Ort played in the #2 spot last season. "Riley is currently our only golfer with high school experience," said Hillegonds. "Riley is a great kid who enjoys playing golf. He is great to have around for team morale. He works hard each day to get better, and he always has a great attitude even when he isn’t playing well." Maenhout, LaVille's #1 golfer as a freshman, was injured during basketball season and is not practicing right now. "We are hoping to have him return at some point," says Hillegonds of his #1 golfer. Swan Lake will continue to be the home course for LaVille golf this spring and the Lancers have gotten the opportunity to be on the practice area. "We have gotten out on the practice area a couple of times," said the LaVille boss.  "It is tough when the season starts in the middle of March, but it’s the same circumstances for all other teams, so we just battle through it. We do some putting or short range work if we can’t get out on the course, so either way we are getting some practice in despite the weather." Hillegonds and the Lancers welcome a pair of freshmen - Adam Aschenbrenner and Liam Stough - to the team this spring. "Adam played Jr. High golf last year, so he has some experience playing competition golf," Hillegonds said of his newcomers.  "He is focused, hard-working, and coachable. He is a leader on the team, and has a chance to be a great golfer. "Liam played Jr. High golf so he has experience as well. Liam is a great kid who works hard each day. He is kind to others, and very respectful to coaches. He shows leadership on the course, and he has shown a lot of improvement over the last few years and will become a solid golfer over his time at LaVille." LaVille is scheduled to open the season against Culver on April 4 at Swan Lake. LAVILLE GOLF Head Coach: Luke Hillegonds  Letterwinners Lost: (1) - Caden Wise Returning Letterwinners: (2) Sophomores - Riley Ort, Ryan Maenhout. Newcomers: (2) Freshman: Adam Aschenbrenner, Liam Stough. Opener: April 4 v. Culver at Swan Lake, 5:30 p.m. 2024 LAVILLE GOLF (All Times EDT) April 4 v. Culver at Swan Lake, 5:30 p.m. April 10 v. Bremen, Triton at Swan Lakes, 4:30 p.m. April 23 v. Winamac at Swan Lake, 5:00 p.m April 26 v. La Lumiere at Whitaker Woods, 5:30 p.m. May 1 v. Plymouth, Culver at Pretty Lake, 4:30 p.m. May 4 v. Marshall County Tournament at Pretty Lake, 1:30 p.m. May 11 v. Tippecanoe Valley Invitational at Round Barn, 9 a.m. May 13 v. Knox, Culver at Culver, 5 p.m. May 14 v. Rochester at Swan Lake, 5 p.m. May 18 Hoosier North Athletic Conference Championships at Round Barn, 9 a.m. May 22 v. Jimtown, New Prairie at Elbel Park, 5:30 p.m. May 31 IHSAA Sectional at Erskine, TBD June 6 IHSAA Regional at Sandy Pines, TBD June 11 IHSAA State Finals at Prairie View, TBD