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Summer isn't over quite yet, but the high school golf season gets under way today, teeing off another year of prep sports.

In today's matches, Heritage faces Gibbs and West at Three Ridges and Maryville hosts Catholic at Green Meadow. On Tuesday, William Blount opens its season against Lenoir City and Catholic at Royal Oaks, while Alcoa is waiting a week before facing Carter and Jefferson County at River Islands on Aug. 3.

Alcoa coach Rob Daugherty is encouraged by the experience and depth his teams will present this season. The Tornadoes return one of the top golfers in the state in Grant Daugherty, who will be joined by senior Michael Marsh, Zach Honea, Blake Hunter, Ryan Moore, Chris Renshaw, Kyle Newman and Jalen Jackson. That kind of depth will allow for solid scoring from the Tornadoes.

"We're in a really huge district this season, with 16 teams, and we'll have a subdistrict," Daugherty said. "I think the boys team is going to be a much better team than last year. Grant has had a great summer and has really grown into a different kind of game.

"Michael is our No. 2 player and has really been playing well. We've been working at it and have improved a lot."

On the girls side, Alcoa returns another state golf contender in Lindy McGuire, and Daugherty is encouraged by the turnout for the Lady Tornadoes, which includes Courtney McGill, Ashley Whittaker, Emilie Eilshie and Chloe Wolfe.

"They have all been getting better quickly," he said of the foursome.

Daugherty expects CAK and Kingston to be the two strongest teams in the district and aims to have Alcoa in the mix to secure the third region berth when tournament time comes around.

Maryville

Maryville coach Tom Stinnett says his girls and boys teams are still young this season, although several players were pressed into service last year and should benefit from having had that experience.

"I've got some sophomores and juniors who played last year because we had to have them," Stinnett said. "This year, they have to be prepared to be leaders and be competitive in this region."

Ben Hartsell and Eli Johnson are being counted on to lead the boys squad, while Angela Long and Cassie McCracken are expected to contribute heavily for the girls.

There is only one senior among players on both squads, but Stinnett said he has at least two promising freshmen who should factor into the success of the boys team this season.

"Our boys team should be ready to take the Blount County Championship back," he said. "Our girls team will have to perform well to take care of Alcoa and William Blount. It'll be a challenge for them."

Stinnett has high expectations, however, because of what his players have done this summer.

"We probably had the best year of summer golf that we've ever had," he said. "We think the girls and boys can do better than last year."

William Blount

Long-time golf coach Mark Davidson has stepped down after 17 years of mentoring the girls and boys teams at William Blount, and Jason Rowe has taken up the coaching reins.

Rowe will benefit from having the experience of returning senior Alaura Brogdon, a state tourney contender, on the girls squad and believes the other four Lady Governors will bring a degree of maturity and skill to the team, despite their youth. They include sophomores Kinsley Vincent, Devon Millsaps and Ashley Shook. Freshman Megan Lawson also joins the squad.

"I think we're going to have a pretty strong girls team, especially with Alaura's experience. She's a great golfer and has played in all the tournaments," Rowe said.

On the boys side, Rowe has something of a challenge in what looks to be a rebuilding year. The Govs don't return a single senior, and junior Will Tate is the oldest player on the squad.

"It's about a level playing field for all of these guys," Rowe said. "The cupboard's not bare by any means. We've got a lot of talent and can put up some scores.

"We have the depth, but it's a matter of getting them all some experience at the varsity level."

Rowe added that Davidson had taken him under his wing at WB, and he feels privileged to try and "fill those shoes" as golf coach.

"I'm excited," he said. "I played high school golf, and I can't wait to see what we can do this season."

Heritage

Heritage coach Chris Clift is encountering a lot of newcomers on both the girls and boys teams but will have more depth than in years past.

The Lady Mountaineers have only one returning player from last season -- Amber Marzec, but there are three players coming on board with enough experience to make the team competitive, Clift said.

"This is going to be the most well-rounded girls team we've had," he added.

Joining Marzec are Brittney Endsley, Kelley Lydic and Maddie Shultz. Although their varsity golf experience is limited, their overall experience playing competitive golf is not, Clift said.

For the Mountaineers, junior Logan Vaughn returns and will be joined by Zjon-Paul Jennings and Travis Nichols, both of whom were on the team last season and are expected to contribute this year. Freshman Matthew McConnell could break into the starting rotation, Clift says, and Mountaineer baseball player Jordan Caughron, though a senior, has enough golfing experience to add to the scoring.

Heritage has 13 boys in all on the varsity and junior varsity golf teams.

"I'm excited about the players we have and the depth," Clift said. "Logan continues to improve and has done well in golf tournaments this summer, and we have several seniors who have been playing other sports who will help us this season."