The Marion golf teams look to continue their recent run of prosperity this fall. The Patriot boys boast a pair of players (Jack Carter and Payne Bius) who last season qualified for the state tournament, as well as Blake Vaughn, who expects to have his best year yet. Marion's girls qualified for the 2021 state tournament as a team, but gone are key contributors Kelly Pedersen, Makenzi Chrestman, and Morgan Dodd. “We have a good mix of players on both teams who love the game and put in the work to get better,” said Marion golf coach Tim Ginn. “Our summer practices have been really promising.” Bius has a good opportunity to become Marion's first all-state golfer since Cain Kaiser qualified for that prestigious list in 2015. The sophomore finished as medalist (shot the best score) four times last year and “he's better in every area this year,” said Ginn. “He's been around the game a long time, and he loves playing.” Vaughn, who's a senior, started playing as a sophomore and has shaved more than 20 strokes off his scores in just two years time. Vaughn finished as medalist once in 2021. “Blake can drive it as far as anybody,” said the coach. “He's a great story because his hard work is really paying off. He's a lot of fun to be around.” Carter, who also plays baseball, punched his ticket to the 2021 state tournament by shooting one of his better rounds at the conference meet last October. Braden Miller and Allan Childers compete as Marion's fourth player at most events. Senior Mady Williams returns this season after playing extensively the past two years on successful girls teams. “Mady is playing extremely well right now,” said Ginn. “She shoots around on her own, even outside of practice.” Claire Hall did not play golf last year following back surgery but “has looked great so far in the summer,” said the coach. Cadence Sudbury, Kylie Percell, and Supriya Chowdhury all shot impressive rounds since school resumed in July. The Pats open league action on August 16 at Greene County Tech.