Last year was nothing short of dominant for the Lansing boys golf team. Not only did the Bobcats go undefeated during the regular season, they also claimed both the IAC and Section IV Class C championships. With all but one golfer returning this year and seven new additions, Lansing is poised for yet another outstanding campaign.
The Bobcats have 18 golfers in their ranks, making them the biggest team in Tompkins County and one of the largest squads in the IAC. Since only six golfers can play in a given match, it can be a challenge for head coach Matt Loveless to find the right combination with so many talented athletes.
“I set the expectation to begin the year with the size of the roster,” Loveless said. “Everybody’s aware of that and everybody is open to what could happen in certain days where they may only just be doing certain drills, whether it’s chipping and putting and are working in the bunkers, on their sand games and not being able to go out and play, which everybody wants to do, right? We always want to go out and play a round of golf, but sometimes that doesn’t happen, which is fine because we can hone our skills.”
This is the largest team they’ve had in over 15 years. In fact, there have been times in the mid-2000s where Loveless has had to cut golfers because their roster was in the mid-20s. Loveless believes there are many factors into the growth of his program.
“Some of it is with the success,” Loveless said. “Some of it’s with the popularity maybe with some peers that have some success liking the sport. I think it’s just a combination of things, and it’s one of those things as a coach where I try to promote a positive culture for the kids. I want them to have a place where they can go. Obviously I want to grow the game, but I also want them to have a good experience.”
The Bobcats are a young but seasoned squad. While they only have two seniors, most of their usual starters are back, including Nicco Binns. The junior is the most experienced golfer on the team as he’s been part of the Bobcats since he was in seventh grade. His most notable performance last year was at sectionals, placing fifth with a score of 82. The biggest thing that stands out in Loveless’ is Binns’ dedication to the sport and his work ethic.
“Nicco’s one of those student athletes where he lets his actions speak for themselves,” Loveless said. “He’s a quiet leader, and I think that a lot of the guys see that and see the success that he has, whether it’s golf or bowling. And I think that feeds a lot into some of the younger players.”
The only other junior on the Bobcats is Ian Leshinski. He too is coming off a top-notch 2025 campaign where he was the medalist at IACs and placed third individually at sectionals, scoring 80 in both matches.
“Ian’s game from two years ago to last year really improved,” Loveless said. “He spent more time on the course, practicing, putting in the time. I look for him to see more progression this year.”
As for their other key returners, the trio of sophomore Parker Bowman, freshman Mason Sandsted and eighth grader Stephen Taylor will also continue to be consistently featured in the starting lineup this season. The big focus for them and their fellow underclassmen is on the all-important mental side of the game.
“I always talk to my student-athletes, especially the younger ones, about the mental piece of the game,” Loveless said. “It’s really them thinking about having that emotional resilience. If you hit a loose shot, move on to the next shot. You can’t dwell on that last shot. If you do, there’s a good chance that you’re not going to have the round that you’re intending to have.”
Other golfers to watch out this season include the sophomore duo of Ryan Hunter and Drew Sanford. While both have starred on the soccer pitch in the fall, they both put in plenty of work on the course over the summer and are set for improved performances this season. The Bobcats’ two seniors, Jackson Relyea and Andre Yang, are in their first years on the team and are also expected to be key contributors.
If the Bobcats want to replicate what they achieved last season while also trying to send some golfers to states, it all comes down to one word: consistency.
“Going into each round, I tell the guys all the time, ‘Just take it one shot at a time,’” Loveless said. “If people get focused on a certain number, a lot of times they’re putting that internal pressure on themselves. And unfortunately, a lot of times, that pressure will make them go the other way in terms of what it really the intention of it is. So I tell the guys, ‘Just focus on what your intent is.’”
