By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — When St. Charles Catholic began its 2012 golf season, Gary Zeringue knew he could expect his top returning player, senior Lance Perrilloux, to turn in a strong season.

Things for the Comets team as a whole, though, were more murky. Perrilloux was the team’s only returning player with experience, and before the season Zeringue has to question if he would even be able to field a full golf squad at all.

Fast forward to now. St. Charles placed third in its regional last week at Lakewood Country Club and will represent the school as a team at this week’s Class 3A state championship match at Beaver Creek Golf Club in Zachary.

SCC will be one of nine teams in the field. Defending state champion Loyola Prep and Parkview Baptist are considered the favorites in the field.

“I’m just thrilled,” said Zeringue. “With the exception of Lance, none of these guys played in a regular season match last year … We had so much uncertainty in the beginning. But we just got better and better each match.”

Zeringue said that before the season began, and with the golf team’s roster low on numbers, St. Charles baseball coaches Paul Waguespack and Wayne Stein allowed three of their younger players to join up.

One of them, freshman Cameron Torres, enjoyed a breakout season and became the Comets most consistent scorer behind Perrilloux.

“His scoring helped keep us competitive,” said Zeringue. With him shooting low 40’s and Lance shooting in the high 30’s, we had a good foundation each time out.

Perrilloux finished in a three-way tie for first at Lakewood last week, adding a regional tournament crown to his growing collection of accolades.

He has been to state each year at St. Charles. Perrilloux said that the hope for him, this year, is to finish in the top 10 of the 51 player field at state.

“I’ve played there a number of times, so I feel like I have an advantage on some of the guys and teams that maybe haven’t,” said Perrilloux. “Since it’s my senior year, I’d like to really go out with a bang.”

Zeringue said he could see a very high finish in the cards.

“If not for a little tough luck on the last hole (at the regional), he probably finishes in the 70’s,” said Zeringue. “It’s a tough field, but my hope for Lance is that he finish in the top 5 to 10.”

Torres shot 97 at the regional, despite the fact that he broke his driver on the 12th hole. Dalton Landry shot 100, Emile Cupit shot 106 and Jason Andrepont finished with 107.