PERRYSBURG — Perrysburg boys golf returns three standout players in senior Josh Weisenburger, junior Ryan Rettig and sophomore Sam Korczynski.

Weisenburger, who averaged 80.42 strokes per 18 and 39.36 in nine-hole matches last year, was a second team All-Northern Lakes League golfer and district honorable mention selection.

Rettig averaged 81.85 per 18 and 42.36 per nine holes and Korczynski averaged 91.6 and 47.16. They are among seven returning lettermen from a team that was 7-5 in dual matches last year, including 1-3 in the NLL Buckeye Division, good enough for third place.

Even though second-year coach Rick Rettig has those three returning, he feels this team as a whole has the potential to be much better. That is in part because of what they have done this summer.

“Our top golfers will be Josh, Ryan and Sam, but I really don’t think that tells the full story of what this team is about,” Rettig said.

“They have scored the most consistently over the summer on TJGA (Toledo Junior Golf Association) and will be the core of our team.

“However, we are seven golfers deep on varsity and so far this season six of the seven golfers have rounds below 80. Our depth is our greatest strength.”

The improvement that Rettig has seen goes from the top golfer all the way through to the seventh golfer.

“I think our most improved golfer is Sam Korczynski hands down. His 18-hole average was 91.16 last season and he expects to be in the 70s every time out. That is a dramatic improvement.

“The other golfer that has improved a great deal is our other senior Elijah Morris. He is much more composed this year and knows how to manage his game much better. He too had a high average last year of 88.71 and now scores consistently in the high 70s to low 80s.

“Evan Schuck has impressed me this year. He only played a handful of varsity matches last year, but now is a much more solid ball striker than in the past and his scores are a reflection of that. There will be a dogfight during the season as to who is going to fill the fourth through seventh spots on the team.

“Rhys Mandery is also a young man who can surprise some people. I’m not sure there is anyone who has worked harder than Rhys to be ready for the season. If he develops a little more consistency off the tee this year, he could be dangerous.

“Asher Lattimore is also a strong player who was our No. 4 last season. We’ll expect more of the same from Asher this year.”

The issue for Perrysburg this year, and every year, is the competition in the NLL Buckeye Division, especially from cross river rival Anthony Wayne.

“I think the NLL Buckeye Division is very balanced this year,” Rettig said. “Anthony Wayne wears the crown, and Findlay is also very strong, but our team is confident in our abilities this season.

“Perrysburg has not won the NLL since 2001, my first year as JV boys coach. We will have to play great golf this year, but I believe in our team and we will be fighting to earn our spot atop of the league standings. We won’t back down from that challenge.

“Anthony Wayne lost three outstanding golfers, but returned a great deal of talent. Findlay has already shown this season they are ready to earn their first NLL title with Payson Dotson as their ace. We will have to play as a team and all score consistently to top those great programs.”

Rettig says it all depends on how his team approaches each match and tournament.

“I think we have great synergy in our program. Last year we were just learning about each other, our games and how to play championship golf,” Rettig said.

“Since I was new to the boys team, I know we were all adjusting to each other. This season, I feel the connections within the team. Each of our varsity players have invested in summer junior programs and want this season to be special. They are ready to take the next step.”

Rertig, who was Perrysburg’s girls varsity head coach 13 years (five NLL championships) before taking over the boys program last year, has seen enough to know there will be good days and bad days, and you have to handle the bad days when they come.

“Reactions to setbacks will be the key to our success or failure,” Rettig said. “Confidence has been our Achilles.

“We have very good players. We have four players on our team that could shoot an even par round on any given day,” Rettig continued.

“I really think the next step for us as a team is to look in the mirror and know we are as good right now as we always thought we could be. Once we believe that, we will be.”