Lenape preparing to defend state golf crowns

Garrett Conway is hoping things are different this year at the Carl Arena and Al Rifkin Memorial Golf Tournament.

He's also hoping things are the same.

Conway is looking to help Lenape defend its team title tomorrow at the unofficial South Jersey championship tournament at Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood.

But Conway also wants one thing to change: He's looking to dramatically improve on his own play from a year ago.

"I played pretty bad," said Conway, who shot an 86 last year. "I did OK on the front nine, but I just couldn't do anything right on the back nine.

"I'm hoping I can do a lot better this year."

Lenape coach Chris Foley said Conway could make a run for the individual title.

"He has as good a chance as anyone," Foley said.

"He's battled a little inconsistency, but he's worked hard, and he could put it all together."

Conway, a junior, has a couple of 9-hole scores of 34 this season. He shot a 35 yesterday at Pennsauken.

"I've been playing pretty well," Conway said.

About 60 teams are expected to compete in the tournament. Lenape will be among the teams in the morning flight, which begins at 7:30 a.m. The afternoon flight begins at 12:30 p.m.

Lenape won the team title last year and rode the momentum all the way to the state title as well as the Tournament of Champions crown.

With an experienced team, the Indians are hoping for a repeat.

"Our expectations are high," Conway said.